Buck to Sign Off IMSA Post After Rolex 24

Richard Buck’s last race under the IMSA banner will be at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the kickoff to the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season. Buck, vice president, racing operations for IMSA, will take over as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series managing director from John Darby following that race.

“I’m eager and ready to pursue this unique opportunity to serve as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series managing director,” Buck said. “I appreciate the faith that NASCAR’s management team has entrusted in me for this role.”

Buck transitioned into sports car racing when he was named managing director of competition for the GRAND-AM Rolex Series in July 2012. From the formal announcement of the merger process unifying GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series that occurred in September 2012, Buck and IMSA vice president of competition and technical regulations Scot Elkins have worked hand-in-hand on the technical and competition direction for the new TUDOR Championship.

As a result of Buck’s departure from his current role, IMSA will realign its competition structure. Elkins will work closer with NASCAR’s top executives in racing, including Steve O’Donnell, executive vice president, racing operations; Gene Stefanyshyn, vice president, innovation and racing development; and Robin Pemberton, NASCAR vice president, competition and racing development. They will form a joint NASCAR/IMSA Competition Committee to meet routinely to share ideas, best practices and resources on innovation and development regarding the two different types of racing.

Buck’s background was in open-wheel racing, where he won multiple Indianapolis 500s as a crew chief with Roger Penske. He also has NASCAR and sports car experience over the course of a 30-plus year career in motorsports.

Formal regulations for the Rolex 24, including Balance of Performance adjustments, were released on the Sunday of the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test.