By alley - Sep 5, 2014, 3:18 PM ET

UPDATED - Beaux Barfield departs as IndyCar race director and explains why

Verizon IndyCar Series race director Beaux Barfield will return to his roots next season when

he rejoins IMSA in the race directing position

he left at the end of the 2011 ALMS season.

The following was distributed by IndyCar:

"INDYCAR would like to thank Beaux Barfield for his contributions to the Verizon IndyCar Series during the past three seasons and we wish him all the best as he assumes his new position with IMSA. INDYCAR's on-track product showcases extremely competitive and compelling racing and we look forward to identifying a race director that will take the Verizon IndyCar Series to an even higher level starting in 2015."

Said Barfield: “It wasn’t an easy decision and I appreciate the opportunity that Randy Bernard and IndyCar gave me but the sports car mentality and management is more in line with the way I like to officiate.

“I like the fact that in sports cars it’s one autonomous race director that makes the calls and is supported by management.”

Barfield replaced Brian Barnhart as chief steward in 2012 after serving as Race Director for ALMS 2008-’11. The former open wheel racer also served as chief steward of Formula Atlantic for Champ Car in 2006-’07.

Like most chief stewards, Barfield took some criticism from drivers in 2013 but was supported by two stewards in 2014 and it seemed like driver complaints subsided.

“I think, to credit management, we had a pretty solid face on everything this season and it was harder for the competitors to go after all of us,” said Barfield. “But decisions and explanations by committee send an unclear message and I think it’s a very archaic way of officiating.”

Barfield was joined in race control on a rotational basis this season by Barnhart, Johnny Unser, Arie Luyendyk, Tony Cotman and Jon Beekhuis. It's unclear whether one of this quintet or a new face will take over chief stewardship of IndyCar.