Not everyone is gifted with the talent to be a successful NASCAR driver. However, there are even fewer who make the most of their failure in racing and turn them into successful career opportunities. Elton Sawyer, NASCAR’s Vice President, is one of those very few. And his rise to the top of the sport has been unique and noteworthy.

However, like any role, Sawyer needed a reference point or an example, and in his case, he found that while working with Ray Evernham. Not only that, but he had also been able to stay abreast with the changing dynamics of modern-day racing, which in turn allowed him to contribute towards the design of the Next Gen car. During his interaction with Dale Jr on the recent episode of DJD, he talked about how the change in racing trends in the modern era helped him ease into his leadership role.

Sawyer reveals his first discovery and experience in managerial roles

2-time Xfinity race winner Elton wasn’t the most skilled racecar driver. But that didn’t keep him away from his passion for racing. In 2003, he met with Ray Evernham, who was a crew chief at Hendrick Motorsports and was also running his racing operations. He was then asked to oversee the Dodge R&D program, and this was his first introduction to managing a race team. Little did he know he would later go on to work at the helm of NASCAR racing as a sports development head and then as NASCAR’s Vice President.

Sharing his tale on how he transitioned into his current role after his stint as a race car driver, he said, “I think for me it was easier and I give Ray a lot of credit because he had kind of gone through a similar career. So I think watching him and how he managed all of that was kind of an inspiration for me. I was actually enjoying that… So making that transition and taking that same mindset of, okay now you’re more of a general manager, you’re more of a guy kind of standing back and kind of setting the table and let them go do their job and be successful.”

Crediting the current generation of drivers and teams, he even accepted the harsh truth of how technology has changed the sport for the better. “I thought leaving the racetrack and having a recorder to flip it on and talk through, okay, here’s the things I felt like I learned then you would go back to that race and you would put it back in. Okay, restarts, you need to do this You thought that was high-tech, but the way they’re doing it—you know, the simulators today and the training, I think it’s just a real testament to our industry, our drivers, and our competitors.”

This was indeed a perfect opportunity for Dale Jr to ask NASCAR about their stance on the short-track racing package. And how they are dealing with the criticism and demands of the drivers and community.

NASCAR is hoping to crack the code with the Wilkesboro tire test

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The short-track package has been a huge topic of debate since the start of the 2024 season. With the sanctioning body not sold on the demands for more horsepower, the only modification that was in play was the tires. The Bristol race was indeed the big highlight of all the short-track events, but unfortunately, that was also the only exception. Perhaps the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway would give a definitive direction on how to improve the tire configuration.

Sawyer explained how the cooler temperature and the use of resin could have played a big part in the tire wear at Bristol. But after dissecting the whole scenario, they concluded that excess tire cording was the way to go for short-track races. “When you start putting all that stuff on the table and dissecting what moves the needle. That formula trying to box that up and keep it, the end result is we feel like that’s where we have to get with the tire. That’s why we’re doing things at Wilkesboro with the option tire. It’s basically the wet weather rubber put on a slick tire,” he explained.

All eyes will be on the All-Star race later this month, where the new tire compound by Goodyear will be put to the test. The new test tire is optional, so it will be interesting to see how many teams and drivers choose it while competing at the event.