NASCAR Appoints Little, Sawyer To New Posts

Chad Little

NASCAR has announced two leadership changes in its Competition department, including the selection of Chad Little to the new role of Managing Director of Technical Inspection/Officiating and Elton Sawyer to Managing Director of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Both assume their new responsibilities immediately. 

“NASCAR recently has made significant investments in both the technical inspection and officiating areas of our sport,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Those areas have become flagship examples of innovation, keeping NASCAR as a premier sport. Chad is an ideal candidate to provide oversight and lead us to further evolve in those critical areas. 

“Similarly, we’re fortunate to have a professional in Elton, who has substantial experience across the racing industry, to direct the popular NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.” 

Elton Sawyer

In the new role, Little will provide high-level oversight in all areas of technical inspection and officiating for the Competition department, bringing to bear NASCAR’s Research & Development. The updated officiating model includes the introduction of NASCAR’s new Pit Road Technology, which debuts during Speedweeks in Daytona later this month.  

Little, who has spent more than 10 years at NASCAR, most recently served as Series Director in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the Weekly/Touring Series. A former driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Little brings a strong background in key areas of competition to this new role. 

Sawyer joins NASCAR after serving as Director of Team Operations for Action Express Racing in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship governed by IMSA. Prior to that role, he held competition roles at Red Bull Racing and Evernham Motorsports. Sawyer also spent part of his career driving in NASCAR’s national series. 

“We’re pleased with the development of our competition team,” O’Donnell said. “Chad and Elton will join the collaborative model already in place at the R&D Center. They will work very closely with Gene Stefanyshyn and Robin Pemberton and the rest of our series directors to help NASCAR capitalize upon its strong momentum heading into the 2015 season.”