Tony George Former President of Hulman Date of Birth: 30.12.1959 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Racing Career
2. Creation of Indy Racing League (IRL)
3. Vision Racing
4. Removal from Leadership (2009)
5. Legacy and Impact

Early Life and Racing Career

Tony George, born Anton Hulman George on December 30, 1959, is the grandson of prominent businessman and philanthropist Tony Hulman, who acquired the Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the end of World War II. George, a former racing driver himself, competed in the Indy Lights championship in 1989, where he finished 12th in points.

Leadership of Hulman & Co. and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (1989-2009)

After joining the board of directors of both Hulman & Co. and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), George became President and CEO of IMS in 1989 following the passing of Joe Cloutier. He oversaw significant developments, including the construction of the Tower Terrace Suites, offering premium views of the racing action.

Under George's leadership, IMS expanded its offerings beyond the traditional Indianapolis 500. In 1994, the inaugural NASCAR Brickyard 400 debuted, followed by the Formula One United States Grand Prix in 2000, setting a record for Formula One attendance. IMS also hosted the MotoGP World Championship in 2008.

Creation of Indy Racing League (IRL)

One of George's notable contributions was the founding of the Indy Racing League (IRL) in 1994. The IRL was formed in response to the perceived decline of Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART), the primary open-wheel racing series in the United States at the time.

Vision Racing

In 2005, George stepped down from his operational duties at IRL to focus on his own racing team, Vision Racing, co-owned with his wife, Laura George, and actor Patrick Dempsey. Vision Racing was formed from the remnants of Kelley Racing, which disbanded after the 2004 season. George's stepson, Ed Carpenter, became a driver for Vision Racing in 2005. The team ceased operations on January 28, 2009, due to lack of funding.

Removal from Leadership (2009)

George's spending habits and financial losses became a concern within the Hulman family. In June 2009, his mother, Mari Hulman George, removed him from his positions of power. George resigned from the boards of directors in January 2010. However, he was reinstated in February 2011 as the board was expanded.

Legacy and Impact

George's actions as manager of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his creation of the IRL have been credited with boosting the popularity of NASCAR while concurrently leading to a decline in open-wheel racing in the United States. He remains a controversial figure in the racing community, with critics arguing that his decisions diminished the prestige of the sport.