Gary Nelson to resign from NASCAR

UPDATE This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' now. Gary Nelson is leaving his position as vice president of research and development for NASCAR to form his own company, Nelson and Associates. "This is something I have wanted to do my whole life," Nelson said Tuesday. "I am really excited about it."

Nelson said his new company will consult with NASCAR and other racing operations, primarily on safety issues.

His first client, Nelson said, is NASCAR. Nelson will continue to work on the "car of tomorrow" project that he has been part of at the NASCAR research and development center in Concord. NASCAR plans to phase the "car of tomorrow," which is taller and wider that the current car used in Nextel Cup racing, in over three seasons beginning in 2007.

Nelson said he's wanted to start his own company from as far back as when he was a crew chief in NASCAR's top series. "Then Bill France called me and asked me to be Winston Cup series director," Nelson said. "I figured I get that caught up and then start my own company. But that job turned into the NASCAR safety project, and that turned into the R&D center, and that turned into the 'car of tomorrow.' More at ThatsRacin.com

02/21/06 SPEED reporter Bob Dillner reports that Gary Nelson, NASCAR’s Vice President of Research and Development, will submit his resignation Wednesday. Nelson has been in charge of the development of NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow …