Bernard immediately grasped the fact that fans were sick of the spec cars and engine so he formed a committee of experts to chose a new direction.

He met with General Motors, Ford, Audi, Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Lotus – pitching the new aero package/engine rules. (GM and Lotus signed up, while a couple more are seriously considering 2013).

He got instant respect by hiring Tony Cotman to take charge of the new rules, cars and engines.

He listened to the complaints about ISC tracks, observed the lack of effort for himself before ending that relationship and starting a new one with Bruton Smith.

He’s investigating all television options for alternative programming and is trying to figure out how IndyCar can best be served.

Tony George's place in the IRL history will list him as both the series founder and as an entrant. While the series continues to grow by leaps and bounds without him, a return by Vision Racing would be a bonus. (LAT)

He came up with the idea of a $20 million prize for any driver winning Indy and Charlotte on the same day, then traveled to Eldora Speedway to pitch his plan to Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. Johnson and Kahne are VERY interested.

He went to Las Vegas, where he has many allies from his PBR days, to try and find a way to end the 2012 season with a street race off The Strip, an oval finale and victory banquet – all in one weekend.

He went to a few USAC sprints races, was impressed with the drivers and crowds but was made aware of the disconnect with those fans so he’s cleared a path to try and get them both back to the Indy 500.

He’s trying to line up larger financial incentives for the oval and road course champions.

He’s looking at going for track records again at Indianapolis to try and restore the buzz for qualifying.

He spends more time in an airplane than most commercial pilots, going coast-to-coast for meetings with potential sponsors and promoters, plus trying to keep his current partners up to speed.

He also has an open door policy with car owners, drivers, sponsors and anybody else with a bitch.

“What I like about the guy is that if you ask him a question, he’ll answer it and no bull****,” said A.J. Foyt. “I think he’s done more good things in the past year than anybody has in a long time and he’s got things headed in the right direction.

“I think he’s doing a helluva job.”

And he’s also greatly reduced IndyCar’s bottom line losses.

“We are very pleased with the leadership of Randy Bernard and the momentum and direction of the sport,” said Mari Hulman-George, chairman of the board at IMS.

“IndyCar has represented our greatest opportunity for growth and will continue to flourish as we move into the future.”

For the first time, IndyCar is being run like a business with a smart, savvy, personable ex-roper who has lassoed more positive publicity in the past 10 months than could be imagined.

“Randy’s positive attitude, good work ethics and trait of being willing to listen to what others have to say makes him a great person to have on board,” said Nancy George.

“He’s had some tough decisions to make and he’s shown to be a quick learner, regardless of the fact he was not that familiar with auto racing in the beginning.

“We’re grateful to have him a part of the company and I think that 2011 and 2012 should prove to be very exciting for our series and for the fans.”

The IMS board of directors are acting independently, but still letting Bernard do his job, which has also included trying to help restore May’s prestige.

“Randy has been a great addition to our team and he’s a pleasure to work with,” said Belskus. “I think we compliment each other and I’m feeling good about the future.”

SPEED is going to honor the Performer of the Year with the annual Mario Andretti award next month but my ballot would be split between the Georges and Bernard.

They were wise enough to give him the reins and, despite being saddled with so many obstacles, the cowboy is riding herd on this wounded beast that just might have some life left in her.

“There’s no doubt that Randy has very strong support from everyone who understands the good of this sport,” said Andretti. “He’s got a lot of poise and he’s patient, there’s no rushing to judgment. He’s really worked hard to understand the product and our history.

“I was skeptical at first, like everyone else, but I wanted to stay open-minded and give him support and now I am a big fan. Thank God Josie found him.”