Series names Driscoll vice president

NHRA HIRES TONY DRISCOLL AS VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Driscoll brings over a decade of motorsports experience to head sales position at NHRA

GLENDORA, Calif. (March 10, 2010) -- After a national search, NHRA has hired motorsports executive Tony Driscoll to become vice president sales & business development. Driscoll will be based in Charlotte, N.C. and will report to Gary Darcy, NHRA's senior vice president sales and marketing.

Driscoll has spent more than 10 years working in motorsports, most recently serving as senior director of partnership and integrated media sales for International Speedway Corporation (ISC). ISC, whose primary business is the ownership and management of 13 NASCAR race tracks, is a leading promoter of motorsports activities. In his role as senior director, Driscoll was responsible for developing integrated partnership for Corporate America. Driscoll has worked in ISC's corporate office in Daytona, Fla., since 2003, and spent the last six years working in various capacities including director of licensing business development.

"Bringing somebody of Tony's caliber with his background and experience to our sales team, rounds out our commitment to increase NHRA's visibility among Corporate America and increase sponsorship development," said Tom Compton, president, NHRA.

"NHRA offers an incredible value proposition and we believe we have a significant opportunity to expand our sponsorship base both at the league and team level," said Darcy. "With the addition of Tony, coupled with IMG and our current sales team in-house, we are poised to aggressively and proactively make an immediate impact on the national sports sponsorship community." NHRA's internal sales team will report directly to Driscoll.

NHRA will maintain its strategic alliance with IMG, which began in 2008, as its exclusive outside sponsorship marketing agent at the league level. Driscoll will split time between NHRA's corporate headquarters in Glendora, Calif. and his permanent location in Charlotte. Coupled with IMG's strong presence in New York, NHRA now boasts a strong sales effort presence in New York, Charlotte and Southern California.

The list of companies that Driscoll has worked with over the years is a who's who of Corporate America and some of the most recognizable brands in the world. His relationships with key decision makers in sports sponsorships are ideally-suited to support NHRA's recent commitment to drive broader awareness for the sport in corporate boardrooms.

"I'm excited to join NHRA and am anxious to get started on meeting the current partners and immediately make an impact on developing new partnerships," said Driscoll. "This is an incredible opportunity and I believe my experience will allow me to contribute to the continued success of NHRA."

Driscoll graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing.

-source: nhra