News Archive
Doug Boles Receives Sagamore of the Wabash Honor
01/13/2025
Doug Boles, J.D. ’00, has been named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Eric Holcomb. It is the highest honor the governor can give to a person who goes above and beyond in their contributions to Indiana.
Boles has been president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway since 2013. In this role, he is responsible for the daily operations of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and all four world-class racing events at the facility: the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil, the Indycar Grand Prix, the Brickyard 400, and the Red Bull Air Race.
In the photo, Governor Holcomb, left, presents the award to Doug Boles.
As president, Boles oversaw the investment of over $100 million in the highly publicized Project 100 renovation of the 108-year-old venue, the largest sporting venue in the world and the implementation of the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Boles previously served as chief operating officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and as vice president of communications for Hulman & Company. He joined the company in November 2010 as IMS director of public relations after more than 15 years of executive-level motorsports experience in team operations, marketing, sponsorship, and public relations.
A Butler University graduate, Boles served as executive vice president of the marketing and advertising agency Ignition, Inc., from 2006-08. He became partner in the marketing agency i3Worldwide while conducting his own private law practice, primarily representing drivers, race teams and sponsors. The Indiana native was a founding partner of Panther Racing, at the time one of the IndyCar Series' most successful teams and served as a co-owner and team chief operating officer from 1997 until early 2006.
Boles served as director of governmental and corporate affairs for Indianapolis Mayor Stephen Goldsmith from 1992-97, where he spearheaded the nation's first government-led effort to attract motorsports companies and jobs to a community.
Boles received IU McKinney’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022.
