Brian Barnhart will return to the role of race director for the 2015 season as confirmed by INDYCAR Wednesday.
He will spend 2015 as one of three race stewards at each race. He served as a steward throughout the 2014 season as well.
After controversy and trouble throughout his previous time spent with IndyCar, fans are worried about what is to come from him in 2015 and beyond - and for good reason. Barnhart has made questionable officiating decisions in the past.
In fact, from indystar.com:
"Barnhart, who was chief steward from 1997-2011, was moved out of the job after a series of controversial incidents, including the decision to restart a race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the rain. That's when Will Power, whose car was collected in the ensuing crash, directed an obscene gesture at race control."
It's notable that he was named to the position Wednesday - then the Brasilia Indy 300 was cancelled the following day. The local Brasilia government cites financial issues to be the reason for the cancellation of the event, and it's probably not true at all to say that Barnhart played any role in this, but it's just another thing for fans of the series to add negatively to his name.