Deery Named VP

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 31, 1998)

Tom Deery, who has served as administrative operations manager overseeing NASCAR's regional touring divisions since joining the sanctioning body, has been named vice president for the NASCAR Winston Racing Series.

In the newly-created position, Deery will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the NASCAR Winston Racing Series, the largest sanctioned weekly racing program in the United States.

Deery will also assume chairmanship of the National Stock Car Auto Racing Commission, replacing Bob Smith who, after 25 years, is retiring from his NASCAR activities. The commission determines and implements the appropriate methods to hear appeals and handle disciplinary issues. The 24-member commission is made up of track operators, officials, sponsors and team representatives.

"We are pleased to announce Tom's new position and title," Bill France, president of NASCAR, said. "NASCAR's weekly racing program and regional touring divisions have seen dramatic growth in recent years and we expect Tom to take our grassroots racing program to new levels."

Deery will oversee all administrative activities with the tracks and competitors that make up the NASCAR Winston Racing Series. The series consists of nearly 100 tracks in 39 states and hosts approximately 2,500 events annually. Competition is highlighted by R.J. Reynolds' Winston brand, and participating series sponsors' $1.3 million point fund distributed to local track, regional and national champions.

With Deery's promotion, Dennis Huth, NASCAR's vice president for administration, will dedicate his responsibilities to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR's nine regional touring divisions: NASCAR Winston West Series, Slim Jim All Pro Series, Busch North Series Grand National Division, Featherlite Modified Series, Goody's Dash Series, Raybestos Brakes Northwest Series, Featherlite Southwest Series, Busch All-Star Series and the RE/MAX Challenge Series; as well as membership and points.

"The creation of this position shows the strong commitment NASCAR has to the weekly NASCAR Winston Racing Series program," Deery said. "The foundation of motorsports starts in the grassroots weekly level and it is important for NASCAR, as a leader, to be certain its resources are being made available to such an important part of the motorsports world."

Deery, who joined NASCAR in April 1996, has been involved in all aspects of track management since 1976 with Rockford (Ill.) Speedway, a NASCAR Winston Racing Series facility, and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He resides in Ormond Beach, Fla., with his wife and three children.

Source: NASCAR Online