Helton, who shifted from President to Vice Chair in '15, has a reputation for being fair and putting the sport firstGETTY IMAGES
MIKE HELTON's transition in '15 from NASCAR President to his current Vice Chair title has "proven to be a case study in how to effectively navigate office politics," according to Jeff Gluck of THE ATHLETIC. Helton "still sits in all the same meetings, still has a seat at the table." He is in "every important meeting, at every important event, a key voice in the room shaping the future of NASCAR." Helton: “I figured out over a brief period of time (the France family was) going to let me stay around and play in the sandbox with them. There was a need to be sure future leadership had the chance and opportunities to grow.” Gluck noted Helton's "ability to remain so influential can be traced to his skill to read the room, to approach people" as the "situation calls for it, and to have those on the other end come to see later that he was guarding their best interests and the sport." Team Owner RICK HENDRICK said, “Mike is always going to give you a fair shake." Gluck noted Helton's loyalty to the France family "has never wavered." His day-to-day duties "have shifted." He "now has more involvement" in NASCAR's "grassroots weekly series, sports cars and motorcycle racing." When STEVE PHELPS was named as NASCAR’s fifth President, the "first note he received was from Helton, welcoming him." Phelps: "I never feel like he is working at cross purposes with me” (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/12).
