Brian Barnhart is the President of Race Operations of IndyCar

IndyCar

IndyCar is the trade name of an American-based open-wheel auto racing sanctioning body. IndyCar sanctions three racing series, the premier IZOD IndyCar Series with its centerpiece Indianapolis 500, and developmental series Firestone Indy Lights and the U.S...

 (formerly the Indy Racing League). Having previously served as director of race operations for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....

 and IRL, he is charged with primarily the safety and competition of the racing. Brian's most well-known on-camera role has been giving final instructions to every Indianapolis 500

Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...

 qualifying attemptee before their run. He was also the president of the league from 2005 to early 2007.

On March 11, 2007, Robin Miller

Robin Miller (journalist)

Robin Lee Miller is an American motorsports journalist. He was an Indy car pit crew member and drove in the USAC midget series in the 1970s...

 reported that the IRL was seeking a new leader for the marketing side of the IRL and that once found, Barnhart would return to his operations role. Terry Angstadt has since filled the role of President of Marketing Operations of the league and Randy Bernard

Randy Bernard

Randy Bernard is the Chief Executive Officer of IndyCar.Bernard assumed the role in early 2010, taking over for series founder Tony George. Since then he has been vocal about increasing the sport's visibility among general audiences, expanding the schedule to markets that are important to...

 has been hired as CEO, leaving Barnhart to focus on operations.

Barnhart previously served as a pit crew member or chief mechanic on previous Indy 500 entries. In 1992

1992 Indianapolis 500

The 76th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24, 1992. The race is famous for the fierce battle in the closing laps, as race winner Al Unser, Jr...

, Barnhart was the left-rear tire changer on the pit crew of Al Unser, Jr.

Al Unser, Jr.

Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:...

's winning car. In 1993

1993 Indianapolis 500

The 77th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 30, 1993. Emerson Fittipaldi took the lead with 16 laps to go, and won his second career Indy 500 victory...

, he served as chief mechanic for Al Unser, Sr.'s

Al Unser

Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....

 King Racing

King Racing

King Racing was the name of famed NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein's racing team which fielded cars in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as well as in CART and the Indianapolis 500.-NASCAR:...

, Kenny Bernstein

Kenny Bernstein

Kenny Bernstein is an American drag racer and former NASCAR and IndyCar team owner. He is nicknamed the "Bud King" for his success in the Budweiser King dragster, he has also been nicknamed "The King of Speed," because he was the first driver to break 300 miles per hour in the standing-start...

-owned entry.

During the 2011 season, Barnhart was criticized by fans, drivers, and owners, and especially prominent open-wheel journalist Robin Miller

Robin Miller (journalist)

Robin Lee Miller is an American motorsports journalist. He was an Indy car pit crew member and drove in the USAC midget series in the 1970s...

for inconsistencies in his role as chief race steward.