NASCAR managing director of business operations Kevin Triplett has resigned his position, effective in June, to move back home to Virginia and pursue other options, NASCAR vice president for corporate communications Jim Hunter told NASCAR.com Thursday. During his decade-long tenure with the sanctioning body, Triplett has held many positions and is well respected in the industry. Triplett joined NASCAR in 1994 and spent three years as NASCAR Winston Cup Series media coordinator. In 1997, he was promoted to director of operations, and spent nearly four years in that role before receiving yet another promotion in October 2001, at which time he was elevated to managing director of business operations. In that role, Triplett oversaw schedules, sanctions, credentials, timing and scoring procedures, plan development, point fund management and personnel, as well as all other business aspects of the Winston Cup, Busch and Craftsman Truck Series A career in politics could be one of Triplett’s future plans. Triplett’s decision to step away shocked some, and could be the first of many high-profile moves in NASCAR’s rumored restructuring process. Inside sources say NASCAR is in the process of placing several key personnel in different roles to best suit their strong points. Among the candidates rumored to collectively assume Triplett’s responsibilities are NASCAR director of series marketing Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR director of administration George Silbermann — who also serves as chairman of the National Stock Car Racing Commission — Joe Garone, director of NASCAR’s research and development center, and Gary Smith, Craftsman Truck Series manager.( NASCAR.com ) UPDATE: been told that Steve O’Donnell will become the Director of Business Operations, overseeing various areas such as marketing and promotion reviews, sponsor approvals and other business aspects of the Competition Department including credentialing and registration, schedules, point fund and purse management, etc. Gary Smith will become Director of Event Logistics and relocate to the Concord, NC Research and Development Center to oversee security, medical liaison program, track event prep and budget management. Jim Cassidy’s role as Administrative Operations Manager will expand to include working with Wayne Auton in overseeing day to day operations as well as events of the Craftsman Truck Series. Joe Garone will become the Director of Officiating.(3-14-2003)
