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Helton carries the keys to NASCAR's ignition: NASCAR president Mike Helton is not as visible as he once was, but he's still getting the job done

Sporting News, The, Feb 11, 2005 by Lee Spencer

As Brian France crowed over NASCAR's immense success in 2004 and its plans for the future, he also deflected rumors of his possible departure.

France, 42, succeeded his father, Bill France Jr., as NASCAR chairman in October 2003 but had to fend off reporters on the first day of a preseason media tour, saying, "It's a little too early for me to retire."

As France stood up front and center throughout a pep rally in Concord, N.C., flanked by an all-star lineup of drivers, NASCAR president Mike Helton quietly observed the dog and pony show from the front row. In years past, Helton would have been an integral part of the festivities.

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As the presentation portion of the program ended and principals scattered to interview posts surrounded by journalists, Helton easily broke away and settled into a corner. While a bevy of cameras surrounded France and the drivers, Helton sat alone.

"I kind of like it over here," Helton said.

In November 2000, Helton succeeded Bill France Jr. as NASCAR president, becoming the first person outside the France family entrusted to run the sport. He says he doesn't mind being out of the spotlight now. He accomplishes more behind the scenes, and he certainly isn't intimidated by NASCAR's changing tide. Infact, he embraces it.

"A lot of it has to do with my role as substitute," Helton says. "I'm still the president and perform my daily duties. As Bill was challenged with his medical issues, I would fill in for him. But when the transition went to Brian, he brought in a new generation of energy and ideas, and he's out there on the front lines. That's how it's designed to be, and that's the way it's supposed to be."

International Speedway Corp. president Lesa France Kennedy, Brian's sister, doesn't see Helton's role changing any time soon.

"Mike has done an absolutely terrific job," says Kennedy, his friend and a fellow NASCAR board member. "He is such a stabilizing figure in our sport. I think we're going to rely more and more on Mike as we move forward."

Kennedy says the division of power at the top NASCAR stems from the growth of the sport and how specialized it has become.

"My dad used to do it all," she says. "But now it's too big."

Helton has been instrumental in improving racing safety while keeping the action intact, partially by adding such key players as Gary Nelson and Robin Pemberton to the competition side of the sport.

"Those are the guys that need to be out front more because they are the future," Helton says. "We have a lot of depth and a lot of talent."

AS a former racing promoter, Helton understands the grass roots of racing. His gift as a communicator is admired throughout the industry, and he became a favorite among drivers while in his previous role as director of competition.

"Mike is the most approachable person in NASCAR that I've ever worked with, and I'm talking top to bottom," says Jeff Burton, driver of the No. 31 Chevrolet. "You can discuss any topic. He's very straightforward, very honest. If he disagrees with you, he tells you why.

"He's been a huge help to NASCAR in understanding what the competitors deal with and relating to the competitors what NASCAR deals with. In many cases, there's a lot of things that the competitors don't understand until someone explains it.

"He has a lot of respect for NASCAR--where it is, where it has been and where it's going." And as long as Helton is part of the equation, NASCAR will continue to prosper.

INSIDE DISH

Todd Parrott, crew chief for Elliott Sadler and the No. 38 Ford, is calling this week's tests at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway "the most important of his career." Teams are reporting that the smaller spoilers are causing a possible loss of as much as 17 percent of the downforce on the backs of the cars. Re-establishing balance will be at the top of teams' to-do lists. But Tony Eury Jr., crew chief for Michael Waltrip and the No. 15 Chevrolet, says that the spoiler changes might be too radical, adding that NASCAR could overturn the new rules early in the season if there are too many problems. > After last week's tour of the new 105-acre Penske Racing campus, there's no question which NASCAR organization has the official Garage Mahal. Since 1990, Penske South had expanded into several buildings, and Roger Penske thought it would be more efficient to consolidate. Penske guided a personal tour of the new fan walk that stretches the length of a football field and overlooks his three Cup teams' work bays, just one section of the 424,697-square-foot facility. > Evernham Motorsports introduced its entire engineering team--20 strong, not including crew chiefs Chris Andrews and Kenny Francis--during the preseason media tour last week. Evernham's structure is significantly different from what Andrews and fellow newcomer Slugger Labbe were accustomed to at their previous jobs. Labbe jokes that Ray Evernham is the George Steinbrenner of NASCAR--buying talent as needed and doing whatever it takes to win. With the significant aerodynamic changes to the cars and the debut of the Dodge Charger, a large engineering stall will be imperative in getting the organization's three cars up to speed. > Kasey Kahne is one of a fortunate few going into this week's tests because he has a feel for the new tires after testing the compounds and construction for Goodyear with the new aero package. "I enjoy driving cars like that, but it's going to make it real difficult to race;' Kahne says. "After four or five laps, you really lose a lot of grip." Kahne was one of four drivers allowed to test for Goodyear. He and Jimmie Johnson tested at Atlanta, and Stewart and Sadler tested at Texas. > Speaking of Kahne, it seems that the bad blood between him and fellow USAC champ Stewart has dissipated--at least from their crew chiefs' perspectives. "Zippy (Greg Zipadelli, Stewart's crew chief) and I vacationed together in Cancun over New Year's," says Tommy Baldwin, Kahne's chief. "So everything is cool."

Helton carries the keys to NASCAR's ignition: NASCAR president Mike Helton is not as visible as he once was, but he's still getting the job done

Sporting News, The, Feb 11, 2005 by Lee Spencer

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