For decades, racers have known the names making decisions in the tower are often as important as the names appearing on the timing sheets. On Friday, NHRA announced a leadership restructuring that will place two longtime officials in expanded roles while keeping one of the sanctioning body’s most influential voices close to the process.
The changes center around veteran competition executive Ned Walliser, who will transition from his role as NHRA Vice President of Competition into a consulting position. Walliser will remain involved as a key advisor on technical and competition matters while continuing to support NHRA’s racing programs.
The move marks the end of an era in day-to-day competition management.
Since becoming Vice President of Competition in 2018, Walliser has overseen racing operations and technical matters across the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. His tenure included responsibility for competition policies, technical enforcement and race operations during one of the most transformative periods in NHRA history.
Rather than stepping away entirely, Walliser will continue to provide guidance from an advisory role.
“Ned’s knowledge, passion and dedication to NHRA Drag Racing has been invaluable and he’s played a vital role in our competition leadership,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “We’re grateful for his years of leadership and guiding our organization’s racing operations and technical programs. His commitment has made a lasting impact in the NHRA community and we’re thrilled to have him continue to support NHRA.”
Walliser said the transition allows him to remain connected to the sport while continuing to support the organization.
“I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as a team and the relationships I’ve been fortunate enough to build throughout my career,” Walliser said. “I look forward to being able to continue to assist NHRA in this new role.”
The most significant operational change involves Josh Peterson.
A veteran of more than two decades with NHRA, Peterson has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Competition and Tech. The position consolidates oversight of NHRA’s Competition Department, Technical Department, Racing Administration and National and Field Operations under one leadership structure.
Peterson’s rise through the organization has been steady.
He joined NHRA’s Competition Department in 2007 as Director of Racing Administration and was promoted to Vice President of Racing Administration in 2011. His new assignment places him in charge of the departments responsible for maintaining competitive balance, safety standards and rules enforcement throughout NHRA competition.
The restructuring reflects a growing emphasis on coordination between departments that frequently work hand in hand.
Rules, technical inspections, safety initiatives and race administration often overlap during a race weekend. Under the new structure, those responsibilities will now operate through a centralized chain of command.
“By bringing Racing Administration, Competition, Tech, and National and Field Operations under one centralized group, it will not only help communications and efficiency, but allow us to guide the sport and create universal policies that cover rules, safety and parity,” Peterson said. “I have a great team working with me to ensure the high standards of NHRA Drag Racing will continue to be upheld well into the future, while still being able to lean on Ned’s expertise as well.”
The changes also elevate one of NHRA’s more experienced field leaders.
Rob Park has been promoted to Vice President of National and Field Operations and will report directly to Peterson. His responsibilities will include oversight of event scheduling, the Simpson NHRA Safety Safari and NHRA’s nationwide field operations structure.
Park’s promotion follows nearly three decades with the organization.
After joining NHRA in 1996, he spent 25 years as Division 5 Director before being named Senior Director of Field Operations in 2025. His familiarity with tracks, racers, event operators and division personnel made him a logical candidate for expanded responsibilities.
Peterson said Park’s experience will be critical as NHRA continues to grow and manage operations across its national and divisional racing programs.
“Rob has a wealth of experience and has played an important role in the growth of NHRA on many levels for more than 25 years,” Peterson said. “He has an incredible knowledge of our tracks, teams and partners, which will be pivotal in this role, and he will also continue to be a great resource for our terrific team of NHRA Division Directors.”
While racers tend to focus on what happens on the starting line, decisions made behind the scenes often shape the future of the sport.
With Walliser remaining involved as an advisor, Peterson assuming broader authority and Park moving into a larger operational role, NHRA’s leadership structure enters its next chapter with three familiar names still helping steer the direction of drag racing.
