Boles Joins IMS Staff As Director Of Public Relations

Motorsports businessman, attorney and former race team executive Doug Boles has joined the staff of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as director of public relations, IMS officials announced today.

Boles, a native of Danville, Ind., brings nearly 15 years of executive-level motorsports experience in the areas of team operations, marketing, sponsorship and public relations. He will start his new position at IMS on Nov. 1.

A Butler University graduate, Boles was a founding partner of Panther Racing, one of the IZOD IndyCar Series' most successful teams, and served as a co-owner and team chief operating officer from 1997 until early 2006.

Boles, who also earned a law degree from the Indiana University School of Law at Indianapolis, served as executive vice president of the marketing and advertising agency ignition, Inc., from 2006-2008 then became partner in the marketing agency i3Worldwide while conducting his own private law practice, primarily representing drivers, race teams and sponsors.

"Doug's experience in multiple areas of the motorsports entertainment industry, along with his lifelong interest in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its events, make him an excellent addition to our team and we are excited to welcome him aboard," said Jeff Belskus, president and CEO of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corp.

Boles also brings a wealth of civic experience to the Speedway, having served as director of governmental and corporate affairs for Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith from 1992-1997, where he also spearheaded the nation's first government-led effort to attract motorsports companies and jobs to a community.

"I am looking forward to working with the entire team at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and am especially excited to participate in the Centennial Era and the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500," Boles said. "The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is an iconic American brand and the Indianapolis 500, the Brickyard 400 and MotoGP are extremely special events on the international motorsports calendar. I am anxious to use my collective motorsports and business experiences to assist these IMS events to solidify and expand their reputation as world-class entertainment properties."

Boles will oversee all aspects of public relations programming and implementation for the 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 Mile Race in May 2011, plus the 2011 Brickyard 400, scheduled for July 29-31, and the 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP, set for Aug. 26-28.

***

2011 IMS tickets: Fans can get details on tickets for the three races in 2011 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29, the Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 31 and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 28 at www.imstix.com.

For more information, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.