National Trail Raceway new general manager

Report from Motorsport News International

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: NHRA Communications (818) 914-4761

HARMON NAMED GENERAL MANAGER OF NATIONAL TRAIL RACEWAY

KIRKERSVILLE, Ohio -- Charlie Harmon has moved from his role as director of the NHRA West Central Division to serve as general manager of National Trail Raceway, NHRA President Dallas Gardner announced Nov. 25.

National Trail Raceway, purchased by NHRA in October 1995, has been the site of the Pontiac Excitement Nationals presented by Summit Racing annually since 1972. The 1997 event is scheduled for June 12-15. The first phase of an extension renovation project started in late October at the facility and is expected to be finished by May 1997.

A new West Central Division director will be named shortly.

"I'm excited about the new challenge of managing National Trail Raceway, especially during this exciting renovation," Harmon said. "I want the facility and its people to become a larger part of the greater Columbus community.

"One of my goals also is to build a team of quality individuals who will create a first-rate racing experience for competitors, fans, sponsors and the entire Columbus community."

Harmon, 34, came to NHRA in May 1994. He served as an assistant to West Central Division Director Darrell Zimmerman until January 1995, when he became division director after Zimmerman retired.

From 1992-94, Harmon was executive director of Forever Sports, Inc. That company staged and promoted National Football League summer youth camps throughout the United States featuring many top NFL players such as Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith.

Harmon was general manager of Kansas City International Raceway, an NHRA-member facility in Independence, Mo., from 1987-91. The track hosted many successful NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series divisional events during his tenure.

"Charlie is well-suited for overseeing the growth and development of National Trail Raceway," Gardner said. "His successful tenure in track management and as a division director prepared him well for the task of managing one of NHRA's premier facilities. The future of National Trail Raceway is bright with Charlie as general manager."

Harmon, a native of Kansas City, Mo., studied finance and marketing at Central Missouri State University. He and his wife, Michelle, have a son, Charles IV, 3, and a daughter, Kaylee, 2.

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