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Just weeks after completing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum’s first major renovation in 40 years, the museum’s president has announced plans to step down.
Joe Hale, who stepped into the role in January 2021, said Friday he will leave the museum on June 20.
The news came one day after the museum announced that it has acquired 14 race cars from Chip Ganassi Racing, including five Indianapolis 500 winners (more information below).
During his tenure, Hale led the museum through a $69 million capital campaign, which fueled the nearly $61 million renovation project that he called a “complete re-imagining” of the museum into a more immersive, interactive and educational attraction.
The project, which took 17 months to complete, added 40,000 square feet of space to showcase more of the over 55,000 artifacts in the museum’s collection.
The museum said in a news release that Hale also played a key role in establishing a $100 million endowment to ensure the museum’s sustainability for years to come.
Hale said he accomplished the objectives he was given when he accepted the position.
“I will miss my regular interaction with our many members, donors, the racing community, and especially my very talented colleagues on the staff,” Hale said. “The timing is right for new leadership to guide the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum as it enters this new era, and I look forward to watching my colleagues build on its current success.”
Hale did not indicate what his next move will be after leaving the museum.
The IMS Museum’s board of directors has named Kirk Hendricks, a current member of the board, as interim president. Hendricks served as president and CEO of AAA Hoosier Motor Club for 10 years until his retirement in 2023.
The museum said the board has begun a nationwide search for Hale’s successor, though an estimated time frame for naming the museum’s next president was not given.
Museum adds 14 cars
The 14 cars acquired from from Chip Ganassi Racing mark the museum’s largest vehicle acquisition since 2011. It also marks the first time modern-era Indy cars have been added to the museum collection.
The five 500-winning cars acquired by the museum:
- Juan Pablo Montoya’s 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner, Target G-Force GF05
- Scott Dixon’s 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner, Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara IR6
- Dario Franchitti’s 2010 Indianapolis 500 winner, Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara IR6
- Dario Franchitti’s 2012 Indianapolis 500 winner, Target Chip Ganassi Racing Dallara IR12
- Marcus Ericsson’s 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner, Huski Chocolate Chip Ganassi Racing Honda Dallara IR18
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Congratulations to Joe Hale for a fantastic job and amazing leadership.
Well done Joe! Thank you!
Leaving a $400k job, why?