After 23 years as IndyCar's technical director, Kevin "Rocket" Blanch has retired, IndyCar and IndyCar Officiating announced Thursday. Blanch's retirement is effective immediately.
Blanch's role was to lead post-race and post-qualifying technical inspections. After six years as a crew chief and chief mechanic with Panther Racing — which was co-owned by IndyCar and IMS President Doug Boles — Blanch joined IndyCar in this position.
IndyCar is in the first season of IndyCar Officiating and the Independent Officiating Board (IOB), which were created after last season in hopes of introducing an officiating body independent of IndyCar and Penske Entertainment. In February, IndyCar Officiating announced that Blanch would remain the series' technical director through the transition.
"I have been contemplating retirement from the IndyCar technical side for a while," Blanch said in a news release. "Last winter when IndyCar Officiating was formed, I was asked to continue in my role with an emphasis on completing a very hectic Month of May and the Indianapolis 500 and am glad I did.
"After adding it up, I have been a part of IndyCar for 36 years and have been involved in 555 straight races. I have simply poured my heart and soul into the sport I love and am very proud of the team I have worked alongside for over two decades. This is a very difficult decision, but I feel like now is the right time to take a step back."
Blanch's role was to lead post-race and post-qualifying technical inspections. After six years as a crew chief and chief mechanic with Panther Racing — which was co-owned by IndyCar and IMS President Doug Boles — Blanch joined IndyCar in this position.
IndyCar is in the first season of IndyCar Officiating and the Independent Officiating Board (IOB), which were created after last season in hopes of introducing an officiating body independent of IndyCar and Penske Entertainment. In February, IndyCar Officiating announced that Blanch would remain the series' technical director through the transition.
"I have been contemplating retirement from the IndyCar technical side for a while," Blanch said in a news release. "Last winter when IndyCar Officiating was formed, I was asked to continue in my role with an emphasis on completing a very hectic Month of May and the Indianapolis 500 and am glad I did.
"After adding it up, I have been a part of IndyCar for 36 years and have been involved in 555 straight races. I have simply poured my heart and soul into the sport I love and am very proud of the team I have worked alongside for over two decades. This is a very difficult decision, but I feel like now is the right time to take a step back."
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