Hulman Motorsports names new Senior Director of Safety and Security

Hulman Motorsports announced the news via a press release earlier today. Bates will take over the role on January 14th after serving as Deputy Chief of Police for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) since 2010.

"Keeping everyone safe and ensuring a worry-free trip to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and all Verizon IndyCar Series venues will always be mission critical," said Mark Miles, CEO of Hulman & Company, the parent of IMS and the Verizon IndyCar Series. "Mike has been an outstanding leader of safety and security efforts for every major event Indianapolis has thrown in recent years, including the Super Bowl. He knows what it takes to develop and execute a world-class public safety plan at high-profile venues and he is the right individual to take on this responsibility for us."

In his former position, he headed the IMPD's Homeland Security Division and was involved in the safety and security planning for Super Bowl XLVI, several NCAA Final Fours, Big Ten Conference championships and NFL playoff games.

"I'm honored to join the team at Hulman Motorsports and work on behalf of racing fans from across the country and globe who see the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and other INDYCAR venues as second homes," Bates said. "No one hosts major sporting events better than the city of Indianapolis and I'm proud to say our safety and security planning is a major contributor to our stellar reputation. I plan to take the lessons I've learned and the relationships I've built throughout my public safety career and put them to good use in this new role."

His new responsibilities include all aspects of safety and security plans at IMS from developing to implementation.

Bates will be responsible for "developing, refining and implementing IMS and INDYCAR safety and security plans," according to the release. "At IMS, he will be responsible for the development, implementation and coordination of public safety and security, emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation plans, exercises, procedures and staff programs.

"At INDYCAR, he will be responsible for defining policies, procedures and best practices for public safety, security and emergency preparedness for the Verizon IndyCar Series races, then implementing and executing plans in cooperation with race promoters and track venues."