NASCAR Wednesday appoints former driver and longtime government Elton Sawyer as senior vice chairman of competitors, succeeding Scott Miller within the newly shaped position of competitors strategist.
NASCAR additionally introduced the promotion of a number of people to key positions throughout the competitors workforce. John Probst has been promoted to Chief Race Growth Officer. Dr. Eric Jacuzzi has been promoted to Vice President of Automobile Efficiency. Dr. John Patalak has been promoted to Vice President of Security Engineering. Brandon Thomas has been promoted to Vice President of Automobile Design.
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“Elton Sawyer has demonstrated unbelievable versatility in additional than 40 years in motorsports,” stated NASCAR Chief Working Officer Steve O’Donnell in an announcement launched by NASCAR. says. “After an extended driving profession, Elton has held essential management positions with a number of race groups and right here in NASCAR over the previous eight seasons. We stay up for him persevering with to develop our aggressive workforce throughout this essential time in our historical past.
“We’re thrilled that Scott Miller has chosen to stay a valued member of the NASCAR aggressive workforce. When he joined NASCAR in 2016, Scott instantly believed within the place. A trusted voice, Scott has used his many years of expertise to take aggressive groups to new heights in an period of recent racing codecs, new playoff codecs and new race automobiles. The footprints you allow behind are essential.
Sawyer joined NASCAR in February 2015 as Managing Director of the Craftsman Truck Collection. Most lately, in 2016, he held the position of NASCAR’s Vice President, Technical Inspection and Referee. In that position, Sawyer oversaw race occasion administration, transportation, and official NASCAR coaching and improvement.
In his new position, Sawyer will oversee all elements of on-track competitors, inspection, rule improvement and refereeing, with a selected concentrate on NASCAR’s three home sequence (Cup Collection, Xfinity Collection and Observe Collection). .
“I’ve been a proud member of this extraordinary workforce for eight years and stay up for persevering with to help within the development of the excellent competitors that has been seen over the previous few seasons.” I’ve a deep ardour for the game and am honored to assist lead the aggressive workforce via this thrilling time.”
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Sawyer started his racing profession competing at Langley Speedway in his hometown of Virginia. He debuted on his scene in his 1983 NASCAR Nationwide Collection and presently races in his Xfinity Collection. Previous to becoming a member of NASCAR, Sawyer was the Director of Operations for his IMSA’s Motion Categorical Racing workforce. He additionally beforehand held aggressive roles at Crimson Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports.
Miller stated now could be the time for change.
“After greater than 40 years of being concerned in race automobiles each week, it is time to step again and have a look at the following chapter of my life in motorsport,” stated Miller. I’m grateful to the French household and everybody at NASCAR for giving me the chance and I’m grateful for the possibility to remain within the fold to assist wherever I can. NASCAR has a robust workforce and I’ll proceed to be a part of it. I’m enthusiastic about it.”
Miller’s focus is on the Bush Mild crash on the Coliseum, the NASCAR All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, chicago street course raceand long-term plans for NASCAR aggressive technique.
Most lately as Senior Vice President of Racing Innovation, Probst oversaw the event and evolution of the following era of race automobiles. Probst joined NASCAR in 2016 the place he served because the group’s Senior Supervisor of Engineering, the place he developed and included new expertise into all elements of NASCAR competitors.
Jacuzzi, who manages aerodynamic engineering for NASCAR, joined the sanctions physique after working as a computational aerodynamics professional at Corvid Applied sciences. Since he joined NASCAR in 2014, Jacuzzi has led the workforce, together with the next-generation automobile he has raced in all three Nationwide Collection automobiles and the 2023 Le 24 Hours race he’s scheduled to run. has been accountable for designing the aerodynamic parts of the Storage 56 automobile. Mance.
Working on the NASCAR R&D Middle since 2005, Patalak oversees NASCAR’s security workforce to analysis, develop and approve driver and automobile security techniques. On this position, Patalak can even examine all crash and driver safety points.
Thomas joined NASCAR in 2019 and has since served as crew chief and engineer for Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Petty Enterprises, Crimson Bull Racing and Corridor of Fame Racing. Thomas, who was delivered to NASCAR to assist shepherd the next-generation mission, has led the day-to-day administration of the next-generation automobile for the reason that begin of the 2019 improvement cycle.