Andretti Autosport makes front office moves

[December 02, 2009]  INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Tom Anderson has been hired as vice president of racing operations for Andretti Autosport, Michael Andretti's renamed team.

Anderson has spent four decades in motor sports, most recently as co-owner and managing director for Fernandez Racing from 2001 to 2009. He was also managing director for Chip Ganassi's team from 1990 to 2000, a span when Ganassi's team won four straight points titles in the defunct CART series and the 2000 Indianapolis 500.

"He brings a ton of experience," Andretti said Tuesday. "He's seen it all. He's won everything, so you have that experience and he's coming in here to add to our talent pool. We have a ton of talent and he's here to not change things, but hopefully make us better than we are now."

Andretti also said he's confident the team will field a fourth car for 2010, with Ryan Hunter-Reay expected to replace Japanese driver Hideki Mutoh.

"We've had a lot of interest in Ryan," Andretti said. "If it would all work out, it would be great. I think he would be a good addition to our lineup. I think he can help push the other ones and make us all better. That would be our first choice at the moment."

Andretti also announced J.F. Thormann was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Andretti Autosport, and senior vice president and chief marketing officer John Lopes will oversee the team's commercial operations.

[Associated Press]

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