DETROIT, March 3 -- Chris Kneifel, a veteran driver who won the 24 Hours of Daytona last month, was named Saturday as chief steward of CART's FedEx Championship Series.
Kneifel will assume his duties immediately and will supervise next week's season-opening Monterrey Grand Prix in Mexico, said Hal Whiteford, CART president of racing operations.
"Chris is a great addition to our team and we look forward to him joining us," added CART president and CEO Joseph Heitzler. "We worked very closely with our drivers, led by Mauricio Gugelmin; our team owners; and the business associates in our racing division as we considered this decision.
"Our ability to draw on the expertise of our past chief stewards, Wally Dallenbach and Kirk Russell, as Chris leads our races, is a critical element that will ensure a successful transition."
Kneifel, 39, made 19 starts on the CART circuit from 1982-84 and tied for 17th in the 1983 points standings. His best finish in a race was eighth.
"I can't measure the amount of excitement I am feeling for this opportunity," Kneifel said. "It is the right time in my life for doing this. We just won the 24 Hours of Daytona with Corvette and I feel very good about all I have acccomplished in a race car. I will miss the competition of driving, but it is time for me to move on."
