The Race Team Alliance, which represents a majority of NASCAR Cup teams, has hired Jonathan Marshall as its executive director.
Marshall, who had been the chief operating officer and general counsel for the World Surf League from Nov. 2013-March 2018, starts work with the RTA immediately.
“The RTA has matured to a point where its Board and Members determined it was time to have a full-time executive who wakes up every day thinking of how to move the collective interests of the RTA member teams forward,’’ said Rob Kauffman, Chairman of the Race Team Alliance and co-owner of Chip Ganassi Racing, in a statement.
“During the process of finding our new executive director, we were fortunate to have met with a number of highly qualified and talented individuals which made our decision that much more difficult. Ultimately, we selected a candidate who had a range of experience across sports, intellectual property and media rights, operations and sponsorship. I think Jonathan’s diverse background will be a big boost to the organization.”
Members of the RTA are: Stewart-Haas Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush Fenway Racing, JTG Daugherty Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing, Germain Racing, Leavine Family Racing, Go Fas Racing, BK Racing and Premium Motorsports.
The RTA was formed in 2014 to “preserve, promote and grow the sport of stock car racing and to advance the long-term interests of the racing teams.’’
Furniture Row Racing, Front Row Motorsports and Wood Brothers Racing are not part of the RTA.
“I’m a race fan, first and foremost, and I’ve been impressed by what the RTA has been able to accomplish in its short history,’’ Marshall said in a statement. “It shows the strength of the teams working together on common goals. There is no doubt that stock car racing, like all major sports, is evolving and working on new ways to engage their fans in deep and meaningful ways. I am beyond thrilled to have been selected as the RTA’s executive director and am looking forward to working with all of the member teams and other industry stakeholders to advance the sport of stock car auto racing.”
Marshall, who will be based in Charlotte, North Carolina, also was senior vice president of business, development and strategy for the USA Today Sports Media Group from Jan. 2011-Oct. 2013. He was president of Metro Television and SVP of business affairs for Westwood One from April 2008-Jan. 2011.