MILLER: Candidates for conflict – Barfield’s potential replacements

ABOVE: Want to join this party? (LAT photo)

It's a thankless job that everybody thinks he can do but few can and even fewer want because it's non-stop bitching and second-guessing from drivers, owners, teams and media. The ideal candidate is a former driver that is respected by today's flock who doesn't want to be friends with everyone in the paddock and wouldn't play favorites.

Beaux Barfield did a good job but turned in his badge after three years, so now the search is on for a replacement. Here are some possibilities:

KENNY BRACK: The Meatball knows the players and understands the landscape and was never afraid to ruffle a few feathers in his driving days.
Interest: Depends on what it pays.
Odds of getting job: 1,000-1.

PANCHO CARTER: The perfect mentality for a chief steward – total belief he's always right and little interest in popularity – the former USAC terror and Indy car veteran likes a challenge.
Interest: Moderate.
Odds: 50-1.

TONY COTMAN: Did a solid job in Champ Car and still officiates Lights and lower series lately but has no desire to babysit adults.
Interest: None.

WALLY DALLENBACH JR: Junior is much more out-spoken than his father (who was CART's chief steward for two decades) and lives by the "my way or the highway" mantra, which often serves a chief steward well. Would have no problem making the tough call.
Interest: High.
Odds: 15-1.

A.J. FOYT: OK, we know how Super Tex feels about certain "Momma's Boys" but could you imagine what the driver's meetings would be like?

BARRY GREEN: Too rich, too smart and too far removed from his old domain.

ALEX GURNEY: A good, clever racer who is in touch with today's driving mentality, young Gurney possesses all the qualities to be an excellent leader. But he's working for The Big Eagle and with his brother Justin at All American Racers and that family seems a lot more stable than the one on 16th Street.
Interest: Unknown.
Odds: 700-1.

STEVE KRISILOFF: Already working at IndyCar, the former Indy 500 regular is smart about racing but doesn't play well with others so that could be a hindrance in Race Control.
Interest: Minimal.
Odds: 1,000-1.

ARIE LUYENDYK: The two-time Indy 500 champ has been in and around Race Control for several years and certainly has the chops to do the job. Just don't know if he wants the headaches.
Interest: Moderate.
Odds: 40-1.

RICK MEARS: Might be the perfect choice because he's obviously respected by everyone on four wheels and cares very much about the series and making things better. He would be fair and firm. But The Rocket never had head injuries so he's not about to quit his Team Penske gig to work in Purgatory.
Interest: Very little.
Odds: 500-1.

SCOTT PRUETT: Quite a few people have mentioned Pruett as a likely candidate during the past few years because he's got the right personality and résumé. The guy who put Firestone back in victory lane at MIS in 1995 can be combative yet constructive and doesn't care about being Best Liked. Probably doesn't want to quit driving sports cars but this could be a second career.
Interest: Hell yes.
Odds: 10-1.

BUDDY RICE: The 2004 Indy 500 winner has run his own go-kart empire and now serves as a driver coach but he's got the moxie to do this job and do it well.
Interest: Unknown.
Odds: 300-1.

TOM SNEVA: Loved by fans and despised by a few rivals, The Gas Man embraced controversy and preached safety but his sprint-car mentality might be good for Race Control. His eyesight sucks but that could be a plus.
Interest: Doubtful.
Odds: He made them 25,000-1 and he wants $10 on himself.

SAMMY SWINDELL: Only drove a few Indy car races but this World of Outlaw legend knows plenty about tight racing in close quarters and he rather enjoyed being disliked.
Interest: Possibly.
Odds: 250-1.

PAUL TRACY: Because he's combative and blue collar, it's assumed P.T. would make a good chief steward but he makes a much better color analyst for NBCSN. The former CART badass says he'd do it but only if Tommy Kendall is his running mate and TK is way too clever to leave his great wife and life to be abused.
Interest: A little bit.
Odds: 2,000-1.

BRIAN BARNHART: TGBB somehow survived the IRL's demise, Tony George's departure, Randy Bernard's tenure and now the Mark Miles Era. "Teflon" Brian remains a part of Race Control and, amazingly, is in this conversation.
Interest: Are you kidding?
Odds: Even money.

AL UNSER JR.: The two-time Indy 500 winner worked in Race Control for a few years and enjoyed it and he's got the racing smarts to be a good judge.
Interest: Uncertain.
Odds: 100-1.

JOHNNY UNSER: Served as a steward the past couple seasons for IndyCar and is a solid, sharp guy who thinks with his head and not his heart. Is he tough enough? Just might surprise you.
Interest: Moderate to high.
Odds: 60-1.

UNCLE BOBBY: "I'm tellin' ya, son, I could run Race Control from my Remote Control right here in Albuquerque. Much better than those young boys they've got now, except Johnny. I would do a really, really, really, really, really good job."
Interest: "Of course, honey."
Odds: Not available.

SEBASTIEN BOURDAIS: Ed Carpenter is a driver/owner, why not a driver/chief steward? Seb doesn't agree with too many calls in Race Control anyway and this could give an added TV element: a blocking call as it happens!