TORONTO (AP) - IndyCar race director Beaux Barfield will miss the doubleheader race in Toronto because of personal reasons.
Former race director Brian Barnhart will replace Barfield in race control for Saturday and Sunday’s races.
Barnhart is currently senior vice president of operations and was race director from 1997-2011. He was removed from race control by former IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard at the end of a controversial 2011 season in which both Will Power and Helio Castroneves had public disagreements with Barnhart.
There didn’t seem to be any concern among drivers about Barnhart stepping back into race control after not officiating a race since the end of 2011.
“I think we’ll be well-represented, he’d been in that job for many years,” said Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan. “I don’t know what happened to Beaux, but we’re lucky we have somebody to fill in for him and take his place. It’s somebody that I trust, as well. It’s good.”
Barnhart will have three race stewards with him in the booth assisting him _ Arie Luyendyk Sr., Bill Van de Sandt and Gary Barnard.
IndyCar officials gave no further information regarding Barfield’s absence.
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