Paul Brooks Takes on Additional Responsibilities; Steve Phelps Named CMO; Jim O'Connell Hired as Vice President of Corporate Marketing

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) today announced multiple management changes, effective immediately, that will position NASCAR to continue its strong growth and more efficiently manage business decisions and communications throughout the company and the industry.

"Mike Helton and I have restructured NASCAR's executive leadership to reflect the broad and deep talent developed over many years," said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. "I am proud of the leaders that we have developed and I believe this team is as strong as any in sports," said France.

Paul Brooks will be taking on additional responsibilities as senior vice president and will continue his role as president of NASCAR Broadcasting and NASCAR Digital Entertainment. Brooks will now oversee all broadcasting, new media, entertainment, corporate administration, corporate communications, diversity, international business and business affairs. Brooks, who is based in Daytona Beach, Fla., has worked in the sport for 16 years and with NASCAR for 13 years. Named a Sports Business Journal "Forty under 40" recipient for 3 years, Brooks entered the Sports Business Journal "Forty Under 40 Hall of Fame" in 2005. Brooks will continue to report to Brian France.

Steve Phelps is promoted to chief marketing officer (CMO) and will oversee all NASCAR corporate marketing, industry marketing, brand and consumer marketing, multi-media, sales, licensing, business development and The NASCAR Foundation. Phelps will relocate to Daytona Beach, Fla. from New York City. Phelps will report to Brian France.

Phelps joined NASCAR as vice president of corporate marketing last July following a 15-year career with the National Football League (NFL) and most recently, the top sales executive for Wasserman Media Group. Over the past six months, he restructured NASCAR's corporate marketing team based in New York and instituted a new approach for the office to better serve and benefit NASCAR's teams, drivers, track operators and other business partners. Phelps has twice been named to Sports Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" list. "Paul and Steve are seasoned executives who are well-qualified for their new responsibilities at NASCAR. Their track records and experience put them in the perfect positions to continue making significant contributions within our industry," said France.

Taking over for Phelps in New York will be former NFL and Viacom executive Jim O'Connell. O'Connell will serve as vice president of corporate marketing and will manage NASCAR's New York office and all corporate marketing initiatives. O'Connell will report to Phelps. At Viacom, O'Connell served as senior vice president and was responsible for partnerships and brand building for Infinity Broadcasting's advertising clients. At the NFL, O'Connell served in several roles over ten years including vice president for commercial development - NFL Europe and senior director for corporate sponsorship marketing.

"We welcome Jim to the company and look forward to his leadership in our New York office," said France. "Jim's experience will benefit the entire industry as we look to attract the best corporate sponsors to the sport and help them receive maximum value for their investment."

NASCAR President Mike Helton will continue to interface with all NASCAR departments with direct management of all areas of competition, research and development, events and operations, and the touring and weekly series. Helton continues to report to Brian France and serve on NASCAR's Board of Directors. NASCAR Chief Financial Officer Todd Wilson and General Counsel Gary Crotty will continue their current duties and report to Brian France.

These changes will help NASCAR meet the challenges and expectations that come along with the sport's global growth over the past ten years. That growth has seen the fan base expand from 63 million fans to 75 million fans nationwide. The schedule of race events have been realigned and now includes 36 points races in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, up from 31 events in 1995.

NASCAR and its affiliated companies currently employ 886 people. The company is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. and has key offices throughout the country. NASCAR offices are located in the following markets: New York City, Corporate Marketing; Los Angeles, Calif., Broadcasting and NASCAR Digital Entertainment; Charlotte, N.C., and Bentonville, Ark., Licensing; and Concord, N.C., home to NASCAR's Research and Development Center.