Friends of Laguna Seca name motorsports management veteran Mel Harder as general manager.

To say Mel Harder is a motorcycle guy doesn’t go far enough. He once told a reporter that he moved from Indianapolis to Austin with just his clothes and two bikes.

But Harder’s priorities extend beyond two wheels. His first year as senior vice president and general manager of Circuit of the Americas, the track was named best new concert venue. Most recently he served as team manager for Chip Ganassi Racing—its driver lineup includes current IndyCar champion Alex Palou and six-time champion Scott Dixon.

Now Harder is president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Friends of Laguna Seca announced the hiring of the motorsports management veteran on Thursday, March 20. Harder will work alongside CEO Lauri Eberhart as the nonprofit organization begins to roll out long term improvements to the venerable facility.

“His insight and operational expertise will play a pivotal role in facilitating our long-term commitment to the local and motorsports communities, our partners and dedicated fans, and our efforts to revitalize Laguna Seca for generations to come,” Eberhart said in a press statement.

Harder grew up in the shadow of Indianapolis Motor Speedway—he has admitted to ditching school to peer into team garages as a teenager—and worked at the facility for 22 years, rising to the role of senior vice president of operations in 2002. Harder was instrumental in bringing the world’s top motorcycle racing series, MotoGP, to IMS.

The facility at Indianapolis includes a hotel, golf course and museum. In Texas he attracted the likes of Jimmy Buffett and the Dave Matthews Band to perform. He has always considered a racetrack as more than a ribbon of asphalt, seeking to establish a diverse facility for community events, as well.

“I look forward to collaborating with our partners and the entire community to create unforgettable experiences as we continue the legacy of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as a world-class entertainment destination,” Harder said.