BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – It may be a newer team to the Verizon IndyCar Series, but Harding Racing continues building its foundation with veteran influence.

The team named a pair of seasoned racing men to operational positions today. Vince Kremer, most recently the INDYCAR vice president of operations, has taken on the same position at Harding Racing. Gerald Tyler, a longtime racing engineer, was named the team’s technical director.

Kremer, whose resume includes previous stints with Team Penske, Bettenhausen Motorsports, Herdez Competition and HVM Racing in the Indy car paddock, is excited to return to the team side. He’s also reunited with Harding Racing president Brian Barnhart, whom he worked alongside at INDYCAR when Barnhart was a vice president of competition and race director.

“It’s a unique opportunity to come to a beginning team that’s got a little bit of a background with running seven or eight races,” Kremer, 65, said in explaining his decision.

“It’s a chance to hit your marks and stamp on something from the beginning. I’ve worked for Penske, I’ve worked for Bettenhausen, HVM. I had the unique opportunity with Bettenhausen to mold and form that team and bring them their very first win (in 2002 with Mario Dominguez following its transition to Herdez). That’s a very special and unique opportunity to get to do that, so I’m hoping to do that here.”

Most of all, Kremer (shown above) is revving to chase the thrill of victory again.

“I spent 20-plus years on the competitive side (before joining the sanctioning body),” he said. “I’m a competitor, not a referee.”

Barnhart is glad to be reunited with his friend and knows what Kremer brings to the table.

“It’s great to have Vince join the operation,” Barnhart said. “It goes back even before the days together at INDYCAR. I worked with Vince back in the early ‘90s at Penske Racing. We had a great deal of success there and really enjoyed working with him.

“We have great chemistry together. We complement each other well in our working styles and got a good opportunity to add to it here with him and what we’re doing at Harding Racing. He’s a good guy to add to our group.”

Kremer emphasized his belief in Harding Racing, citing that team owner Mike Harding is fully involved, always learning more about the sport while also showing incredible support for his staff. Kremer is also impressed with Gabby Chaves, driver of the No. 88 Harding Group Chevrolet that Kremer first met when he was race director for the Indy Lights series and Chaves won the 2014 championship.

“I really like Gabby, he’s got a ton of talent,” Kremer said. “It’s really neat to work with a guy I had in Indy Lights.”

Tyler brings years of engineering experience to Harding Racing. Previous stops have included time with RuSPORT, KV Racing Technology and with teams in the Mazda Road to Indy. The addition of Tyler will alleviate pressure on lead engineer Matt Curry.

“I know Harding Racing is a new team that’s a little bit behind the more established teams in the paddock,” said Tyler, 62. “I’m very excited to join a good group of guys around here and work with Gabby Chaves.

“We know we have a big challenge ahead, but we’re determined to do our best to build a positive team culture and strong foundation to be successful in the Verizon IndyCar series.”

Barnhart stressed the importance of adding knowledgeable depth to the team in time for the hectic month of May that includes the most important event in motorsports, the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on May 27.

“It’s really a challenge to add quality in the middle of the season, and the fact that we were able to do so with those two is a real positive for us,” Barnhart said. “I think they’re going to have an impact on the success of this race team.”