INDYCAR: Andretti team manager Klotz switches to Foyt

One of the most experienced and respected men in the IndyCar paddock has joined A.J. Foyt Racing. RACER has learned that George Klotz (LEFT) has left Andretti Autosports to become team manager at Foyt's operation.

"I'm real excited because George is a quality addition," said Larry Foyt on Tuesday night of the 35-year IndyCar veteran. "He'll be in the team director role and I'll be the president of the company. I'll still be on the pit box at the races but this frees me up to work on sponsorships and things of that nature."

Klotz worked as mechanic for Foyt in the early '90s before joining Chip Ganassi in 1994. He spent the next seven years at Player's/Forsythe in CART before moving to Andretti/Green in 2002 in the Indy Racing League. His title at Andretti was IndyCar team manager.

General manager Rob Edwards told RACER's Marshall Pruett that Andretti Autsport will hire from within to fill Klotz's position.

Takuma Sato and Jack Hawksworth are expected to be back driving the ABC Supply Dallara-Hondas and Foyt is hoping that veteran engineer Don Halliday will stay on in a technical director role.