TWO ADDED TO NHRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wally Parks, founder of the NHRA, today announced the election of two new members to the association's Board of Directors. In an action taken at a board meeting earlier this month, Peter Clifford, executive vice president and general manager, and Graham Light, senior vice president of racing operations for NHRA, were elected to the Board.

"In expanding the Board, we carefully considered various options, focusing attention on what we felt to be in NHRA's and the sport's best interest to continue to oversee the multi-faceted organization," said Parks. "As the world's largest motorsports sanctioning body, NHRA is charged with a vast scope of responsibility."

"We must continue to maintain the delicate balance that has made NHRA and the sport of drag racing the success it is today and Peter and Graham bring to the board additional dimensions and experience that will help in overseeing the continuing challenges of the future," concluded Parks.

Clifford, who prior to his current title was the association's senior vice president and chief financial officer, joined NHRA in 1997. He oversees all NHRA-owned race track facilities, publications, information technology, national event business, ticketing, customer service and human resources. Clifford also is responsible for all fiscal functions including management of accounting and finance departments. Clifford currently sits on the board of directors of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum.

Light oversees competition and event operations at all 23 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events and is responsible for development and implementation of the rules and regulations that govern competition in the NHRA's many racing series'. He also is chairman of the NHRA Competition Committee. Light, a former Top Fuel dragster driver, car show promoter and track operator, joined NHRA in 1984,

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handling business development in an area that now comprises NHRA Division 6 and 7. In 1986, he took over as Division 7 director and was promoted to the position of competition director in 1987. Later that year, he was elevated to vice president for technical operations and in 1993 to his current position.

"The balance essential to efficient management of NHRA and to effectively direct activities of our sport requires individuals who clearly understand all that NHRA does and how each relates to one another," said Dallas Gardner, NHRA's chairman of the board. "When we combine all the elements into the mix -- racing, tracks and related facilities, track owners and operators, safety programs, sponsors with diverse interests that support programs at all levels, members of NHRA, and our worldwide population of fans -- balance is not only complex, but critical."

The NHRA Board of Directors includes Parks, Gardner, NHRA president Tom Compton, Dick Wells and now Clifford and Light. [3-30-2004]

WALSH OUT, SMITH IN AT CARRIER BOYZ

Carrier Boyz Racing has released Jimmy Walsh as crew chief on Cory McClenathan's Berryman Products Top Fuel dragster and replaced him with Todd Smith.

"As a team, we are having trouble finding consistency this year," said Andy Carrier. "In this sport, it's all about performance and consistency. Since the crew chief is the person responsible for the on- track performance, he is also the same person, when the performance goes bad, that shoulders the result of poor production. As a result of our slow start this season, (brother) Mark and I feel that it is time for change and redirection."

Smith is the son of two-time NHRA Comp Eliminator champion, Charlie Smith. After beginning his motorsports career racing motorcycles, he moved to NHRA as a crewman in the late 1980s. He spent five years as co-crew chief at Kalitta Motorsports, and from 2000-2003 was co-crew chief on the Darrell Gwynn Racing Top Fuel dragster. Cory Mac drove for Gwynn last year and finished fifth in the POWERade points.

Also joining Carrier Boyz Racing is Julie Gonzalez, who will be responsible for the team operations as well as the sponsorship and hospitality activities. [3-30-2004]