diff --git a/infrared_plugin/roles/tobiko-ir-init/tasks/main.yaml b/infrared_plugin/roles/tobiko-ir-init/tasks/main.yaml
index 14564da8d..75b897103 100644
--- a/infrared_plugin/roles/tobiko-ir-init/tasks/main.yaml
+++ b/infrared_plugin/roles/tobiko-ir-init/tasks/main.yaml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
   vars:
     deploy_dir: '{{ tobiko_src_dir | realpath }}'
     deploy_git_repo: '{{ tobiko_git_repo }}'
-    deploy_git_refspec: "{{ tobiko_git_refspec | default('0.8.4') }}"
+    deploy_git_refspec: "{{ tobiko_git_refspec | default('0.8.5') }}"
     deploy_git_remote: "{{ tobiko_git_remote | default('') }}"
   when: create_tobiko_dir is changed
 
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/new-backgroud-ping-pod-config-options-f37846f9defbb5bb.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/new-backgroud-ping-pod-config-options-f37846f9defbb5bb.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9cb41439c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/new-backgroud-ping-pod-config-options-f37846f9defbb5bb.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+---
+other:
+  - |
+    Introduced new config option `tobiko_pod_tolerations`, which can be used when
+    running background ping process using OpenShift POD.
+    With this option, tolerations can be added to the POD definition.
+    Example: `[{effect: NoSchedule, key: testOperator, value: true}, {effect: NoExecute, key: testOperator, value: true}]`
+  - |
+    Introduced new config option `tobiko_pod_extra_network`, which can be used when
+    running background ping process using OpenShift POD.
+    With this option, an extra network interface can be attached to the POD.
+  - |
+    Introduced new config option `tobiko_pod_node_selector`, which can be used when
+    running background ping process using OpenShift POD.
+    This option is used to specify on which Openshift node the POD should run.
+    Example: `kubernetes.io/hostname:worker-3`