Buck appointed as new Indy NXT director

Three months after Levi Jones left his post as Penske Entertainment’s Indy NXT director, the company has found his replacement by reaching back to one of its CART IndyCar Series crew chiefs.

Richard Buck, who helmed Penske Racing cars for Rick Mears, Emerson Fittipaldi, Danny Sullivan, and others before moving onto other teams and went on to become the managing director of NASCAR’s Cup Series in the 2010s, will lead IndyCar’s lone development series.

“I am thrilled to return to my racing roots in IndyCar,” Buck said. “I have always kept my eye on the sport, and the opportunity to be the director of Indy NXT was something I could not pass up. The developmental series is on the rise as it continues to advance talent to the premier open-wheel series in North America.”

Buck’s acquisition comes after a lengthy search that included former IndyCar drivers and current IndyCar team members who were keen to take NXT’s reins. His first day on the job is set for January 6.

“The competition is fierce, and the future is bright for Indy NXT by Firestone,” said IndyCar president Jay Frye. “With his vast motorsports experience, Richard is a tremendous fit for the series’ leadership role, and we are excited to welcome him back into the IndyCar family.”

The first of NXT’s 14-race calendar kicks off on March 2 at St. Petersburg.