The Frontstretch: NCMA Appoints Andy Papathanassiou Executive Director posted by Toni Montgomery -- Wednesday April 26, 2006

November 17th - November 21st, 2008

Monday: In the wake of Jimmie Johnson's third straight title, Tom Bowles takes a look at how a different points system might have made things just a little more dramatic heading down to the wire at Homestead in Bowles-Eye View.

Tuesday: With the season over, did your favorites finish the season red hot -- or barely lukewarm? Mike Lovecchio breaks it all down in the final edition of Who's Hot / Who's Not in Sprint Cup for 2008.

Wednesday: The Frontstretch staff looks back on the positives of the season finale at Homestead, along with the negatives of the dreaded Black Monday that went along with it in the latest edition of Mirror Driving.

Thursday: Editor's Note: This column has been postponed until Monday due to technical issues for Matt McLaughlin. NASCAR's testing ban for 2009 has race teams and fans up in arms. Matt McLaughlin Mouths Off and puts the ban under the microscope, dissecting the pros and cons of cutting costs in this way.

Friday: Jimmie Johnson has officially joined NASCAR's elite in the history books; but how will his chapter be written? Amy Henderson gives her take on Johnson's place in history in Holding a Pretty Wheel.

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NCMA Appoints Andy Papathanassiou Executive Director

Wednesday April 26, 2006

Concord, NC "" The board of the North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) today named Andy Papathanassiou as the executive director of the organization. He will also serve as the executive director of the North Carolina Motorsports Foundation, the educational and charitable arm of the industry in the state. The NCMA is the voice of the motorsports’ industry in North Carolina representing businesses in the state that support more than 26,000 jobs.

In addition to his role with NCMA, Papathanassiou began his career in the motorsports’ industry in 1992. As a crew member and pit-crew coach, he won four championships (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001) with the No. 24 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series team of driver Jeff Gordon before assuming his current role in which he oversees crew training and employee development.

Papathanassiou, 38, holds an undergraduate degree in economics and a master’s in organizational behavior, both from Stanford University. The Emerson, N.J., native has lived in North Carolina since 1991.

"I look forward to the challenge of providing all North Carolina motorsports’ businesses with a forum for delivering their message to the citizens of our state and the rest of the nation," said Papathanassiou, who will continue the work of retiring NCMA and NCMF executive director Ed McLean. "The businesses of this sport, from the very visible Nextel Cup teams to the support companies that together make up this $5.9-billion industry in North Carolina need a voice. The NCMA, together with its sister organization, the NCMF, provide that voice and I look forward to delivering the message. The NCMA is in the best position in this state to represent all people involved in this extensive industry."

NCMA chairman Richard Petty said, "This industry needs someone like Andy who can provide day to day leadership so we can continue to grow the industry in the state and be able to continue to see the growth of jobs and business in our state." Former employer and NCMA vice chairman Rick Hendrick echoed Petty’s comments, saying, "Andy has delivered many outstanding contributions during his 14 years in our organization and I am confident he will expand the influence and stature of motorsports in North Carolina in his new position as executive director of NCMA." NCMF chairman Tom DeLoach, "We look forward to working with Andy to increase funding for our charitable causes, primarily through increasing the sales of North Carolina NASCAR automobile license plates that allow the motorists to choose among a number of popular drivers."

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This report was provided by an outside PR source and posted by Toni Montgomery.