Chris Kouri, a Charlotte attorney whose 2002 campaign for Congress garnered national attention, has joined Lowe's Motor Speedway as director of governmental relations and general counsel.

In his new position, Kouri, 35, will work closely with government officials at the local, state and federal levels and monitor legislative activities that impact the industry. He will also oversee the speedway's day-to-day legal matters.

"This position gives Chris the opportunity to combine his experience as a corporate attorney with his background in politics," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Political relationships are extremely important and we look forward to Chris strengthening our current relationships and developing new ones at every level of government."

After earning a law degree from the University of North Carolina in 2000, Kouri worked as a corporate associate with Helms Mulliss & Wicker in Charlotte, stepping away in 2002 to run for Congress in North Carolina's 8th District. He returned to the firm after the campaign, but left earlier this year to form his own practice.

Kouri is co-chair of Mecklenburg County's Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee and is on the board of the Public School Forum of North Carolina.

A Charlotte native, Kouri attended Charlotte Catholic High School and excelled in the classroom and as a running back on the football team. He attended Yale University where he earned the prestigious Gerald Ford Scholar-Athlete Award and was named First Team All-Ivy League following his senior season.

After graduating from Yale in 1992, Kouri tried unsuccessfully to make the Miami Dolphins as a free agent halfback, but in 1995 he led the Aix-En-Provence Argonauts to an undefeated season and the French National Championship, earning MVP honors in the championship game.

Kouri was inducted into the Charlotte Catholic High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.