Chad Little named tour director

LITTLE NAMED NASCAR WHELEN MODIFIED TOUR DIRECTOR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2008) -- NASCAR announced today Chad Little has been named the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour director. Little, a former NASCAR driver, has been an official with NASCAR since 2005, most recently as advisor to the NASCAR Mexico Series.

"Modified racing is an integral part of NASCAR history," Little said. "The series is strong and I am looking forward to helping it continue to grow. I had the chance to meet and get to know a lot of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour officials, competitors, promoters and fans last year. There is not a more passionate group than those involved with Modified racing, and that translates into some of the best racing in NASCAR."

Former tour director Ed Cox will handle special projects with the NASCAR competition division.

"The 2008 season is very important," Little said. "Not only is NASCAR celebrating its 60th anniversary, but the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is commemorating its history of 60 years of champions. As rich as the history is, the future of the tour is just as bright."

At the 2007 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour banquet, series sponsor Whelen Engineering announced it was extending its entitlement sponsorship through 2016.

In addition, Jason Cunningham assumed the duties as the full-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour media coordinator beginning in January. Cunningham joins NASCAR from Ohio University, where he was an assistant sports information director for three and a half years.

Little got his start racing NASCAR-sanctioned short tracks in the northwest and was the NASCAR Camping World Series West champion in 1987. He went on to make more than 200 starts in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He will continue to serve in his advisory role to the NASCAR Mexico Series.

"Chad has been involved with NASCAR racing on the regional and weekly level all of his life," said Richard Buck, NASCAR Touring Series Director. "He brings a wealth of knowledge to the position as both a competitor and a race official."

The 16-race, eight-track 2008 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour schedule will begin and end at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway -- a track that first opened in 1940 and has always been an important stop for Modified drivers touring the northeast. The Tour will take the green flag April 5-6 with the traditional season-opening Icebreaker, and conclude Oct. 17-18 as part of the World Series of Asphalt Racing.

-credit: nascar