For years, he was the man who worked behind the scenes, making stuff happen at the Bakersfield Famoso Dragstrip. Starting today, he will deliver in another arena. 

NHRA named Mark Dawson the new Division One director. Dawson will oversee NHRA member tracks in Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, as well as facilities in Canadian provinces New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec.

Dawson brings over 30 years of drag racing operations experience to his new role. Officially, he served as the Director of Racing Operations and also spent time at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana and Maple Grove Raceway, home of the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series.

“My time on the West Coast has been incredible,” Dawson said. “I have had the pleasure of meeting and working alongside countless great people. As I move on to this new chapter, I’m excited to return home and join the fantastic team in Division 1.
 
“I look forward to working with the tracks, racers, and sharing the excitement and opportunities that NHRA offers both now and in the future. I am committed to continuing the proud traditions of NHRA drag racing while taking on new opportunities for growth and innovation in this amazing sport.”

Dawson joins a team of division directors who represent the seven divisions of the NHRA. The Northeast Division hosts several Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events throughout the season, as well as NHRA national events at New England Dragway in Epping, N.H., Virginia Motorsports Park in Richmond, Va., and Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa.

“We’re thrilled to welcome someone with a wealth of experience like Mark to the NHRA Division Director team,” said Josh Peterson, NHRA Vice President of Racing Administration. “Having already spent time at Maple Grove Raceway, Mark is a natural fit for the Northeast Division. He’s a great addition to our talented team of division directors, and Mark is passionate about growing the sport and working closely with our race teams, tracks, and partners in Division 1.”