Chevrolet IndyCar Chief Rob Buckner Takes Expanded GM Racing Role After Barber
Rob Buckner, Chevrolet's IndyCar program manager, will conclude his role after the May 4 Barber Motorsports Park race. His departure coincides with the upcoming birth of his first child in late May.
Rob Buckner wearing headset and shirt
After his paternity leave, Buckner will assume the position of Senior Manager GM Motorsports Propulsion Program Team, overseeing GM's racing engine programs across IndyCar, NASCAR, IMSA GTP/WEC LMDh, and global GT3 racing with Corvette. He succeeds Russ O'Blenes, who now leads Cadillac's Formula 1 motor program.
Buckner's journey with GM began in 2010 in product development, working on the C7 Corvette. He gained recognition in IndyCar as an engine technician for Sebastien Bourdais at KVSH Racing, contributing to two victories in 2015. As Chevy's IndyCar program manager since 2018, he led the team to three consecutive Manufacturers' championships.
Andrew Schutter, previously Buckner's deputy, will take over as Chevy's new Competition and Engineering IndyCar Program Manager. Despite the transition, Buckner will maintain involvement with IndyCar in his expanded role, bringing his decade of paddock experience to benefit multiple racing programs.
"It's great timing for me, personally and professionally," Buckner commented. "The pressure is real to elevate every program and see how we can continue winning. I've never done sports car racing, so that's an entirely new world to me, which is exciting."