IRG Sports + Entertainment Names Chris Lencheski as Vice Chairman of Board & Chief Executive Officer

Sports Industry Veteran and Former Comcast-Spectacor Entity President Named IRGSE CEO 

NEW YORK, NY – IRG Sports + Entertainment (IRGSE) has appointed sports industry veteran and former Comcast-Spectacor entity President Chris Lencheski as Vice Chairman of the Board of Managers and Chief Executive Officer.

IRGSE properties promote more than 1,150 motorsports, live entertainment and corporate events annually at their venues and within their series. Lencheski will be responsible for strategic and portfolio operations of the IRGSE family of companies, including the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) sanctioning body and the International Drag Bike League (IDBL) sanctioning body, as well as IRGSE properties: Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR), Memphis International Raceway (MIR), Maryland International Raceway (MDIR), and Cordova International Raceway (CIR).

“I am honored to join IRGSE at this exciting time in the company’s growth and transformation,” said Mr. Lencheski. “Having been involved in high-level motorsports as an agency owner, team owner and a promoter of series across the world, I look forward to working closely with the entire IRGSE ecosystem, and the opportunity to help drive the future growth of the IHRA Series and all IHRA member tracks.”

“We are thrilled to have such an industry leader join the IRGSE team, and look forward to Chris’ expertise as the company continues down its path of growth,” said Tom Steiglehner, Managing Director of TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. and IRGSE Board Member. “Chris brings to IRGSE a broad range of experience in the motorsports and entertainment fields – from his work with some of the world’s premier sporting events to his success growing businesses through marketing and sales – and we are looking forward to partnering with him.”

IRGSE is a portfolio company of TPG Specialty Lending, the U.S. middle market direct originations investment platform of TPG Special Situations Partners, the credit and special situations platform of TPG, a global private investment firm with approximately $75 billion in assets under management.

What significant members of the Sports Industry are saying?

Peter Luukko; Executive Chairman, The Florida Panthers and its parent company Sunrise Sports & Entertainment, LLC stated, “From my own personal experience while he worked for me; Chris comes from the front, delivers a strategy and then simply gets on with it. He does so by aligning the goals and personnel of the company with that of the desired outcome for the client, whoever that client may be… He spends a lot of time tracking a business culture that matches the strategy for everyone’s benefits.”

Dr. Harvey Schiller; Commercial Commissioner, America’s Cup 35 stated, “Chris Lencheski’s presence will be a welcome addition to the future success of IRGSE. He has the right combination of skills to add significant value to each and every property under the IRGSE umbrella. He’s a true professional in every sense of the word.”