NASCAR Senior VP Reveals Ordeal of What Dale Earnhardt Jr Calls ‘Wizard of Oz’ Transition

Over the previous few months, NASCAR has bumped right into a collection of controversies. From sloppy FOX protection and blurry pictures to low horsepower and scrapped pylons, followers have taken officers to activity for bringing down the racing product. Not too long ago, the controversial Kansas end caught followers’ consideration. Nonetheless, given the large operations and hectic race schedule, NASCAR has elaborate procedures that normally evade the general public eye.

That’s what Dale Earnhardt Jr not too long ago discovered on his podcast. A senior NASCAR official, previously a race automobile driver, graced his Soiled Mo studio not too long ago. He dissected the heavy burden that executives have in managing the busy races.

NASCAR government reveals his robust job to Dale Earnhardt Jr

Elton Sawyer entered the sports activities realm by dreaming about baseball, soccer, and basketball. However an opportunity go to to Langley Speedway, a .395-mile bullring near his hometown modified his life’s trajectory. Sawyer started racing on that observe, quickly bringing double-digit wins and three consecutive championships.

Sawyer raced extra within the Mid-Atlantic and the Busch Sequence. However quickly his company skills outshone his driving prowess. His first NASCAR appointment was because the director of the Tenting World Truck Sequence. From there, Elton Sawyer got here a protracted strategy to develop into NASCAR’s Senior Vice President of Competitors. However the transition has been difficult, as he not too long ago defined to Dale Earnhardt Jr.

On a current episode of the Dale Jr Obtain, Dale Earnhardt Jr in contrast Elton Sawyer’s journey to the Wizard of Oz. Going from a race automobile and into the NASCAR workplace is nearly like Dorothy getting swept from her residence to the magical land of Oz. Sawyer agreed, hailing his early racing days: “I feel all of these prior life classes and dealing within the trade had been instruments…and to today proceed to assist me.”

However one incident actually made him really feel the stress of managing NASCAR. “I feel it was February the 2nd of 2015. We’re leaving in a couple of week to get to Daytona. I’m the collection director for the Truck Sequence.” He added that he was “speaking to Patty on the cellphone. She says, ‘What are you gonna get for dinner?’ I say, ‘I don’t have time to eat.’ I’ve bought like 80 emails in my inbox. I nonetheless bought work to be prepared for tomorrow.’”

Then Sawyer enlightened Dale Earnhardt Jr about all of the work that goes into stitching collectively a race, which most racers don’t perceive. “We’ve to ensure at the start that the ability is able to race if the SAFER limitations are achieved correctly. You’re making all of your superior logistics work across the asphalt, all of your timing strains, and issues like that.”

Regardless of Elton Sawyer’s notion about drivers, a JGR driver acknowledged the executives’ dedication again in 2018.

Denny Hamlin hailed NASCAR for doing a “nice job”

Dale Earnhardt Jr’s interview with Elton Sawyer positively bridged the hole between the higher echelons of NASCAR and its racers. Nonetheless, there was a time when an government’s motion was questionable. But drivers rallied in assist of Brian France, who was arrested in 2018 for intoxication, unlawful possession of medication, and highway rage. JGR driver Denny Hamlin affirmed his religion within the France household.

He said in a media interview, “I’m assured within the management of NASCAR. I do know all the executives actually, very well. I get invited into some very intense conferences with them at instances, and am very assured that these guys can take the reins and do an awesome job.”

Elton Sawyer considers himself a Wizard of Ounceswhereas drivers stay on Earth. But Hamlin’s assertion proves that drivers do know in regards to the existence of Oz.