NASCAR this afternoon will announce that COO BRENT DEWAR has been promoted to President, making him just the fourth person to hold that title in the sanctioning body’s nearly 70-year history. Dewar assumes the position immediately, joining BILL FRANCE SR., BILL FRANCE JR. and current NASCAR Vice Chair MIKE HELTON as people to hold the title. Dewar’s role and oversight are not expected to change, as the promotion is more reflective of his accomplishments over the past three and a half years. Dewar came to NASCAR in ’14 after being courted by Chair & CEO BRIAN FRANCE. He previously had spent more than 30 years at GM from '78-'10. Dewar began consulting with NASCAR a few years later. When he joined in ’14, Dewar became the first NASCAR COO since GEORGE PYNE left the sanctioning body in early ‘06. Dewar has overseen -- and in some cases been the architect of -- major changes since coming aboard as the sport deals with shifting attention spans and interests, lower attendance figures and decreasing TV ratings. Dewar has overseen the creation of the sport’s ownership charter system; this season’s introduction of stage racing and title sponsor Monster Energy; an increasing focus on cultivating younger fans and a more diverse sport; and an increasing focus on having what used to be a more siloed-off industry collaborate better. Dewar, who is based in Florida but travels frequently, will continue to serve on the NASCAR BOD. NASCAR Exec VPs STEVE PHELPS and STEVE O'DONNELL will continue to report to Dewar.
