Over the past few months, NASCAR has bumped into a series of controversies. From sloppy FOX coverage and blurry images to low horsepower and scrapped pylons, fans have taken officials to task for bringing down the racing product. Recently, the controversial Kansas finish caught fans’ attention. However, given the massive operations and hectic race schedule, NASCAR has elaborate procedures that usually evade the public eye.

That is what Dale Earnhardt Jr recently learned on his podcast. A senior NASCAR official, formerly a race car driver, graced his Dirty Mo studio recently. He dissected the heavy burden that executives have in managing the busy races.

NASCAR executive reveals his tough job to Dale Earnhardt Jr

Elton Sawyer entered the sports realm by dreaming about baseball, football, and basketball. But a chance visit to Langley Speedway, a .395-mile bullring close to his hometown changed his life’s trajectory. Sawyer began racing on that track, soon bringing double-digit wins and three consecutive championships.

Sawyer raced more in the Mid-Atlantic and the Busch Series. But soon his corporate talents outshone his driving prowess. His first NASCAR appointment was as the director of the Camping World Truck Series. From there, Elton Sawyer came a long way to become NASCAR’s Senior Vice President of Competition. But the transition has been challenging, as he recently explained to Dale Earnhardt Jr.

On a recent episode of the Dale Jr Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr compared Elton Sawyer’s journey to the Wizard of Oz. Going from a race car and into the NASCAR office is almost like Dorothy getting swept from her home to the magical land of Oz. Sawyer agreed, hailing his early racing days: “I think all of those prior life lessons and working in the industry were tools…and to this day continue to help me.”

But one incident truly made him feel the pressure of managing NASCAR. “I think it was February the 2nd of 2015. We’re leaving in about a week to get to Daytona. I’m the series director for the Truck Series.” He added that he was “talking to Patty on the phone. She says, ‘What are you gonna get for dinner?’ I say, ‘I don’t have time to eat.’ I’ve got like 80 emails in my inbox. I still got work to be ready for tomorrow.’”

Then Sawyer enlightened Dale Earnhardt Jr about all the work that goes into sewing together a race, which most racers do not understand. “We have to make sure first and foremost that the facility is ready to race if the SAFER barriers are done properly. You’re making all your advanced logistics work around the asphalt, all your timing lines, and things like that.”

Despite Elton Sawyer’s notion about drivers, a JGR driver recognized the executives’ dedication back in 2018.

Denny Hamlin hailed NASCAR for doing a “great job”

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Dale Earnhardt Jr’s interview with Elton Sawyer definitely bridged the gap between the upper echelons of NASCAR and its racers. However, there was a time when an executive’s action was questionable. Yet drivers rallied in support of Brian France, who was arrested in 2018 for intoxication, illegal possession of drugs, and road rage. JGR driver Denny Hamlin affirmed his faith in the France family.

He stated in a media interview, “I’m confident in the leadership of NASCAR. I know all of the executives really, really well. I get invited into some very intense meetings with them at times, and am very confident that those guys can take the reins and do a great job.”

Elton Sawyer considers himself a Wizard of Oz while drivers live on Earth. Yet Hamlin’s statement proves that drivers do know about the existence of Oz.