BREAKING: NHRA appoints new director
For years, he was the man in charge of making things happen at Bakersfield’s Famoso Dragstrip. Starting today, he will deliver in a different arena.
The NHRA has appointed Mark Dawson as its new Division One director. Dawson will supervise NHRA member tracks in Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, as well as venues in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.
Dawson offers more than 30 years of drag racing operations knowledge to his new position. He was officially the Director of Racing Operations and also worked at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana and Maple Grove Raceway, which hosted the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.
“My time on the West Coast has been incredible,” Dawson remarked. “I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with innumerable wonderful people. As I begin this new phase, I am looking forward to returning home and joining the excellent Division 1 squad.
“I am looking forward to working with the tracks and racers, as well as sharing the excitement and opportunities that the NHRA provides now and in the future.” I am dedicated to upholding the historic traditions of NHRA drag racing while also pursuing new chances for growth and innovation in this incredible sport.”
Dawson joins a team of division directors representing the NHRA’s seven divisions. The Northeast Division features many Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events throughout the season, as well as NHRA national events at New England Dragway in Epping, New Hampshire, Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Virginia, and Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania.
“We’re thrilled to welcome someone with such extensive experience as Mark to the NHRA Division Director team,” said Josh Peterson, NHRA Vice President of Racing Administration. “With previous experience at Maple Grove Raceway, Mark is a natural fit for the Northeast Division. He’s an excellent addition to our outstanding division directors, and Mark is enthusiastic about expanding the sport and collaborating with our race teams, tracks, and Division 1 partners.”
