Blair promoted to VP at LVMS

LAS VEGAS – Chris Blair, who has served as senior director of drag-racing and dirt-track operations at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the past five years, has been promoted to vice president of racing operations.

LVMS also announced the promotion of Jodi Allen to director of ticket services and Julian Hernandez to housekeeping manager.

In his new role, Blair will oversee the operation of the Bullring and will continue his management of The Strip and the half-mile dirt track.

"Chris has done an outstanding job in helping make The Strip the premier drag-racing facility in the country," said Chris Powell, LVMS general manager. "In his five-plus years here, he has developed our Midnight Mayhem program, brought world-class drifting to the speedway and made the dragstrip a favorite among race fans and competitors. And we're confident that Chris's efforts will be equally effective at the Bullring." Allen and Hernandez are longtime employees of LVMS.

"Jodi has worked her way up through our ticket services department," Powell said. "She's done a wonderful job in every phase. And the overall cleanliness of our facility is a testament to the hard work of Julian and his staff."

Blair, a graduate of the University of Kentucky, came to LVMS in August of 2001 after spending four years as the Pacific Division Director for the National Hot Rod Association. Blair also has worked as a director of business development for Clear Channel Motorsports and began his career in the industry as a sportswriter in his native Kentucky.

"I am excited about this opportunity," Blair said. "I have spent most of the past 10 years almost exclusively in drag racing. But I grew up on stock car racing, and with the team we have in place at the Bullring, I know we can make this the premier weekly short track in the country." Mike Stafford will continue his role as the Bullring's competition manager and race director, and Marston Maddox will continue to coordinate promotions. Both will report to Blair.

Allen, who reports directly to the general manager, has been employed by LVMS since 1999. She began her tenure as a customer services representative in 1999 and became ticket services manager in 2005. Hernandez has overseen the management of the housekeeping staff since May of 1997. He reports to Bobby McKenna, director of facility operations.