NASCAR on Wednesday named former driver and longtime official Elton Sawyer as its senior vice chairman of competitors, changing Scott Miller, who will tackle the newly shaped function as competitors strategist.
NASCAR has additionally introduced the promotions of a number of people to key positions inside its competitors crew. John Probst was promoted to Chief Racing Improvement Officer; Dr. Eric Jacuzzi has been promoted to Vice President of Car Efficiency; Dr. John Patalak has been promoted to Vice President, Security Engineering; Brandon Thomas has been promoted to Vice President of Car Design.
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“Elton Sawyer has demonstrated unbelievable versatility all through his 4 a long time in motorsports,” Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s Chief Working Officer, mentioned in an announcement from NASCAR. “After his lengthy driving profession, Elton has held key management positions for a number of racing groups and right here in NASCAR for the previous eight seasons. He’ll excel on this function, and we look ahead to watching him proceed to develop his competitors crew throughout this important period within the historical past of our sport.”
“We’re delighted that Scott Miller has chosen to stay an integral a part of the NASCAR competitors crew. When he joined NASCAR in 2016, Scott gave the job instantaneous credibility. A trusted voice within the storage, Scott has used his a long time of expertise to steer our rivals crew to new heights throughout A time that noticed a brand new racing format, a brand new elimination format, a brand new race automotive, the mark it makes on the group is critical.
Sawyer joined NASCAR in February 2015 as Managing Director of the Craftsman Truck Collection. Most just lately, he served as NASCAR’s Vice President, Technical Inspection and Administrator, a job he took over in 2016. On this capability, Sawyer oversaw racing occasion administration, transportation, and NASCAR’s official coaching and growth.
In his new place, Sawyer will oversee all points of monitor competitors, inspection, rule growth, and administration, with a selected give attention to NASCAR’s three nationwide collection—the Cup Collection, Xfinity Collection, and Truck Collection.
“I have been a proud member of this extraordinary crew for eight years, and I look ahead to persevering with to assist develop the nice competitors we have had over the previous a number of seasons,” mentioned Sawyer. “NASCAR racing has been my life for many years. I’ve a deep ardour for the game, and I’m honored to be within the place to assist the competitors crew by way of these thrilling instances.”
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Sawyer started his racing profession competing at Langley Speedway in his dwelling state of Virginia. He first appeared on the NASCAR Nationwide Collection scene in 1983, racing in what’s now often called the Xfinity Collection. Previous to becoming a member of NASCAR, Sawyer served as Director of Workforce Operations for IMSA’s Motion Specific Racing. He additionally beforehand held competitors positions at Crimson Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports.
Miller mentioned it was time for a change.
“After greater than 40 years driving round race vehicles week in and week out, it is time to step again and take a look at the subsequent chapter of my motorsport life,” mentioned Miller. “I’m grateful to the France household and everybody at NASCAR for the chance they gave me seven years in the past, and I admire the chance to remain within the fold to assist out nevertheless and wherever I can. We have now a robust crew in NASCAR, and I am excited to remain part of it.”
Miller’s focus can be on varied “massive image” particular tasks such because the Busch Mild Conflict on the Coliseum, the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, and Chicago Road Racein addition to long-term planning round NASCAR’s competitors technique.
Probst, who was just lately named Senior Vice President of Racing Innovation, oversaw the event and evolution of the next-generation race automotive. Probst joined NASCAR in 2016, the place he oversees an engineering group that develops and integrates new know-how into all points of NASCAR competitors.
Jacuzzi, who runs aerodynamic engineering for NASCAR, joined the sanctioning physique after working as a computational aerodynamics skilled for Corvid Applied sciences. Since becoming a member of NASCAR in 2014, Jacuzzi has led the crew tasked with designing aerodynamic parts for racing autos for all three nationwide collection—together with the Subsequent Technology automotive—in addition to the Storage 56 automotive scheduled to run on the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Patalak, who has labored on the NASCAR R&D Heart since 2005, oversees NASCAR’s security crew, researching, growing and approving driver and automobile security programs. On this function, Patalak additionally investigates all crashes and driver safety points.
Thomas joined NASCAR in 2019 afterward as crew chief and engineer with Richard Childress Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Petty Enterprises, Crimson Bull Racing, and Corridor of Fame Racing. Introduced into NASCAR to assist sponsor the Subsequent Technology challenge, Thomas has led the day-to-day administration of the Subsequent Technology automotive because the begin of the event cycle in 2019.