INDIANAPOLIS -- Industry veteran Jay Frye has been named president of competition and operations for the Verizon IndyCar Series.
Frye, who most recently worked as chief revenue officer for Hulman Motorsports (the parent company for INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway), has more than 25 years of racing experience, including more than a decade as a NASCAR team principal with MB2 Motorsports and Red Bull Racing.
In a subtle reshaping of INDYCAR's competition department, Frye will take over many of the responsibilities previously handled by Derrick Walker, who had resigned in late July.
"I feel like Jay's background makes him the ideally suited candidate for this position," Hulman & Company CEO Mark Miles said during a media teleconference. "He had an excellent 15 years or so in NASCAR, and he showed as a team manager and part-owner that he knew how to assemble talent.
"While he's not an engineer and didn't come up through the ranks of mechanics, as team leader he showed that he understands the technical issues and knows how to pull all the ingredients together to field a successful team. That's exactly what we're looking for here on the technical side of IndyCar and I think Jay is very widely supported and respected by our stakeholders."
Frye's most important immediate task is to manage the relationship between its engine and aero kit manufacturers, Chevrolet and Honda, to establish baseline parity between the pair for 2016 after Chevrolet dominated the 2015 season.
Another priority is the rebuilding of the IndyCar Series' actual race management and the officiating of races.
"I've always had a common-sense approach to everything and try not to complicate what doesn't need to be complicated," Frye said. "Our first clear goal is to be a sanctioning body that great racers and great race teams want to participate in and be proud to be a part of. We're making great progress in that but there is still more work to be done.
"We need to build consensus with more clear and defined goals for the league and create more value for our teams with smart and well-thought out cost containment initiatives. There are many ways to do that without affecting the great racing product we have."
Frye is expected to revamp IndyCar's race control, which currently features Brian Barnhart as race director supported by a panel of three stewards, generally former drivers.
"One of the things that we want to try to do as a league is minimize the debate," Frye said. "We're going to hire the best and most respected people to be part of our steward system, we're going to provide the best possible tools and regular and consistent training to the officials and the stewards, and we're also going to create a consistent platform for the infractions with a clear and concise consequence that the competitors understand and are aware of."
Miles has tabbed sales executive Rod Davis, who has worked with USA Swimming, USA Gymnastics and the Indiana Sports Corp., as the new chief revenue officer to replace Frye.
"We think there's a big continuing opportunity there to sign sponsors that will invest in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IndyCar racing," Miles said. "Rod is the ideal person to serve in that role.
"We were fortunate that a person in Indianapolis, from Indianapolis that we have worked with over the years was available to step into this opportunity. He brings the right skill set."