Who to know

Kellie Landeche, NASCAR

A key cog of NASCAR’s business development team, Landeche is charged with developing relationships with brands throughout corporate America in hopes of landing them as new partners. She joined NASCAR in 2015 after stints at IMG College and Learfield Sports, and is part of NASCAR’s renewed bid to stay fresh to sponsors and emphasize the changes being implemented throughout the sport.

Braun Smith, Speedway Motorsports Inc.

Smith steps up into the role formerly held by Mike Burch, who is now chief strategy officer for the track operator. Smith, who is not related to SMI Executive Chairman Bruton Smith, will be responsible for national sponsorship sales across the company plus overall corporate sponsorship revenue. He originally joined SMI in 1999 and has held various positions across the company.

Cari Cellini, Monster Energy

While Tom Norwood will head up Monster’s day-to-day business dealings in NASCAR, Cellini will be the brand’s face at the races as she runs its at-track activation. Monster’s senior sports marketing manager has handled those duties for five years and is in for a big season running the trade-guest hospitality program that Monster plans to hold at every race.

Rick Brenner, Michigan International Speedway

As MIS president, Brenner is charged with reversing an attendance decline at the track that is in the backyard of America’s auto industry. Brenner came to MIS in September last year after spending most of his career in minor league baseball, where he most recently was the president of DSF Sports & Entertainment, which owns the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Corey Wynn, Front Row Motorsports
Filled with experience across the industry at the track and team level, Wynn is trying to help revive the fortunes of Front Row as it prepares to go back to three cars in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in 2018.

Scott Prime, NASCAR

Prime helped develop the framework for NASCAR’s charter ownership agreement that was introduced in 2016, and now manages its day-to-day operations for the sanctioning body. The Harvard- and Princeton-educated Prime, who serves as managing director of strategic development, has former stops at McKinsey & Co. and the NBA.

Carlos Slim Domit, Escuderia Telmex

As driver Daniel Suarez’s confidant, and the son of Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, Domit has worked behind the scenes to become among the most important international power brokers associated with NASCAR. Domit is well connected with a number of top NASCAR executives and figures to play an important role in the growth of Suarez, who could help NASCAR break through in a new way with Hispanics.

Frank Kelleher, International Speedway Corp.

Seen as a rising star at track operator ISC, Kelleher led the company’s sales team to double-digit revenue increase the past two years. Recent deals include a major investment by clean energy company DC Solar around Phoenix International Raceway’s renovation and an expanded deal with Geico to title sponsor ISC’s restart zones. The 36-year-old Kelleher also has roles with ISC’s Americrown Service Corp. and Motor Racing Network, and has been mentioned as a possible future track president.

Tony Mayhoff, JR Motorsports

As Dale Earnhardt Jr. enters the twilight phase of his career, the team he co-owns has broken off a couple of key executives to focus on building and cementing Earnhardt’s brand. Mayhoff, as director of brand marketing and partnerships, is reviewing agencies to work with on a full brand study of Earnhardt, the first time the driver’s team has embarked on such a venture.