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New Smyrna Speedway is a lot closer to where Ed Bennett was reared compared to the world famous Daytona International Speedway, home to the Great American Race, the Daytona 500. Despite the aded weight of the big responsibilities he has to carry on his shoulders as a rising star in NASCAR's corporate offices in Daytona, Bennett has his priorities straight with his emerging family, as shown in the inset. As a side note, his wife, Mindy France Bennett, was 'Miss NSB HS 1997.' DAYTONA BEACH -- NASCAR executive Ed Bennett has a saying from Mark Twain that he tries to live his life by: Give every day the chance to become the most beautiful day of the your life.
Bennett's advancement comes in at No. 70 in Headline Surfer's countdown of the top 100 local stories of 2012.
With an attitude like that it's no wonder the New Smyrna Beach native has moved up the corporate ladder, promoted in December to senior vice president with a trio of up-and-comers -- Jim Cassidy, Zane Stoddard and Kim Brink -- moving up to vice president.
As if his new position isn't challenging enough, Bennett gets to keep his other day jobs as NASCAR chief administrative officer and president/chief executive officer of GRAND-AM Road Racing.
And the three new vice president under him -- Cassidy, Stoddard and Brink -- have expanded duties as well, leading key areas of racing operations, entertainment marketing and NASCAR’s brand marketing initiatives with integral roles in the implementation of 'NASCAR’s 5-year industry action award.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France had high praise for the talent around him, saying, “These dynamic, forward-thinking leaders all have made significant contributions to NASCAR."
France added he's been impressed with Bennett's ability to "look strategically across the enterprise for areas of opportunity and development, as evidenced by the critical role he played in the merger of sports car racing’s two marquee sanctioning bodies – GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series."
France said he's ecstatic his three new vice presidents, "Kim, Jim and Zane are shaping how we go to market with key initiatives designed to assist in reaching new audiences and enhancing our on-track product.”
NASCAR's newly promoted senior VP, is always on the go, even when he's away from the office and about town. Sometimes the family dog 'Skeetch' gets to ride along. Perhaps the pooch is playing big dog as shown here in the inset growling at those go karts zipping around Daytona International Speedway this New Year's holiday weekend.France reiterated that Bennett continues to head up corporate administration, and earlier this year became both the president and chief executive officer of Grand-Am, which recently completed its merger with the ALMS. And that's in addition to assuming operation of Road Atlanta and Sebring International Raceway.
Bennett joined NASCAR in 1998, leading key initiatives such as the Japan/International project and pivotal negotiations for sponsorship and licensing, the press release states.
Bennett may still have that New Smyrnan charm and youthful looks, but it's been a dozen years now since he was promoted to vice president and the added title of chief administrative officer four years ago.
During his tenure at NASCAR, Bennett was charged with finalizing Toyota entering NASCAR as a national series manufacturer; led the acquisition of "CASCAR," which was simultaneously rebranded the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
Bennett also was instrumental in the development of the NASCAR Toyota (Mexico) Series and played the lead role in designing and constructing the NASCAR R&D Center. He's also credited with creating the development concept for the NASCAR Plaza building; along with all other company office facilities.
And if all of that wasn't enough to handle, Bennett also was responsible for corporate administration; corporate events; human resources; information technology; and other corporate departments.He also served as appellate administrator of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel.
Jim Cassidy, formerly managing director of NASCAR Racing Operations, joined the stock-car racing giant a dozen years ago when Bennett was settling into his initial vice presidency duties.
In addition to overseeing several core areas of racing operations, Cassidy is playing a substantial role in the Product Relevance plank of the IAP. With motor-sports experience spanning 20 years, Cassidy began his career here at the grassroots levels, before being promoted to roles in NASCAR’s national series as senior manager, business operations and then director of events and operations.
With two decades of experience in the core racing operations, Jim Cassidy, shown here is demonstrating the vsalue to NASCAR with his grassroots feet long ago planted.
Cassidy transitioned to overseeing the day-to-day business and strategic direction of the three national series, including ownership development, event scheduling and expansion of the sport across the Mexican and Canadian borders.
Cassidy helped implement the shift in identity in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, leading to the roll-out of new car models and the ‘pick-a-series’ format. He also was instrumental in developing the new point system, the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup and implementing enhancements along the way, including adding the successful “Wild Card” element to the Chase in 2011.
Zane Stoddard, formerly managing director of entertainment marketing, came on board with NASCAR two years ago. He oversees NASCAR’s Los Angeles office and its entertainment marketing division, and is responsible for leading the "Youth plank of the IAP and company content strategy."
Zane Stoddatd, shown here, is responsible for NASCAR's media and entertainment.At NASCAR, Stoddard has overseen the placement of NASCAR driver and storyline integration into more than 85 television shows; procurement of major artists for NASCAR events including Kid Rock, Lenny Kravitz, Blake Shelton, Colbie Caillet and the Zac Brown Band. And he's had several original projects in development at major studios and networks.
Stoddard also established a partnership with the USO, which includes NASCAR drivers visiting troops overseas.
Prior to NASCAR, Stoddard launched the NBA's Los Angeles office and managed it for nearly a decade.
Kim Brink, formerly managing director, who joined NASCAR in 2011, is "leading the Gen Y and multicultural planks of the IAP."
Earlier this year, she set in motion a re-energized “Everything Else is Just a Game” brand campaign launched during this year's running of the Daytona 500.
Brink also led a comprehensive review to secure a class-leading, full-service advertising agency, which attracted more than 100 agencies of all sizes and expertise.
Kim Brink joined NASCAR from General Motors, where she helped lead the transformation of a pair of iconic global brands – the all-American Chevrolet and Cadillac. During Brink’s tenure at GM, she helped conceive and launch multiple, award-winning creative platforms and developed powerful branded entertainment and sponsorship alliances.
Top 100 Countdown Recap:
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