MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Taylor Kiel has been promoted to president of Arrow McLaren SP from his previous role as managing director of competition.
In his new role, Kiel will oversee both the competition and commercial aspects of the team based in his hometown of Indianapolis.
“I want to thank Sam and Ric for giving me the opportunity to lead this team at a higher level,” Kiel said. “Last year we showed our ability to grow and improve as a team, both competitively and commercially. This year we continue our journey towards becoming one of the top IndyCar teams, on and off the track.”
Kiel joined the organization as a junior mechanic in 2007 after graduating from Indiana University. At that time, the team was owned by Sam Schmidt and was a championship-winning Indy Lights operation.
“This is the next natural step for Taylor and for the evolution of the team,” said Schmidt, co-owner of Arrow McLaren SP. “I’ll never forget him showing up to the shop 14 years ago, without any tools, looking for a job in racing. He started pushing a broom and has excelled in every position from mechanic to Car Chief to IndyCar Team Manager and now President, learning and applying knowledge from some of the best in the industry. We are incredibly proud of the leader he has become.”
In 2020, Kiel led Arrow McLaren SP to a top-five finish in the NTT IndyCar Series standings with Pato O’Ward as the driver.
Arrow McLaren SP will field two full-time entries in the upcoming NTT IndyCar Series season: the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet piloted by Pato O’Ward and the No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet piloted by Felix Rosenqvist. Juan Pablo Montoya will join the team for the 105th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
Kiel will also remain the strategist for the No. 5 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, continuing to guide O’Ward on track during race weekends.