Beaux Barfield has left IndyCar to take up the role of race director at the United SportsCar Championship’s sanctioning body IMSA, with immediate effect.

Barfield previously served as race director for the American Le Mans Series between 2008 and 2011 before moving into a similar role at IndyCar, although his influence was reduced as the result of an overhaul of the series’ judicial system by IndyCar president of competition and operations Derrick Walker.

An IndyCar statement thanked Barfield for his contribution and said it will begin sourcing a replacement immediately.

“IndyCar would like to thank Beaux Barfield for his contributions to the IndyCar Series during the past three seasons and we wish him all the best as he assumes his new position with IMSA,” it said.

“IndyCar’s on-track product showcases extremely competitive and compelling racing and we look forward to identifying a race director that will take the IndyCar Series to an even higher level starting in 2015.”