W. Garrett "Gary" Crotty, Secretary and General Counsel for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), has been named to NASCAR's Board of Directors.

Crotty, 43, is a native of Daytona Beach. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1985 and his law degree from the University of Florida in 1988. Upon graduating from Florida he entered private practice specializing in general and commercial law. From 1990-91 he attended New York University, receiving a Master's Degree in taxation law.

Crotty joined NASCAR as Secretary and General Counsel in 1996. He oversees the company's legal department located in the corporate headquarters in Daytona Beach, as well as extended offices in Charlotte, N.C., Concord, N.C. and New York, N.Y.

"Gary is a long-time friend and associate and is a perfect addition to our Board of Directors," NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said. "He will add valuable perspective - and a different perspective, as he has a vast, varied knowledge of NASCAR."

He joins the current five-person NASCAR Board of Directors: Chairman/CEO Brian France; Vice Chairman Bill France; Vice Chairman Jim France; Vice President Lesa Kennedy; and President Mike Helton.

"I am honored by the faith the France family has placed in me," Crotty said. "I look forward to taking on this new role and contributing however I can to the exciting future of NASCAR racing."

Crotty is the son of the late E. William "Bill" Crotty, an attorney and civic leader in Daytona Beach and a long-time advisor to Bill France, NASCAR's former Chairman and current Vice Chairman. Bill Crotty was named an ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean during the Clinton administration and also served as chairman of the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee Board of Directors.