IMSA has announced that the association's President, Scott Atherton, will retire at the end of 2019.
Atherton, who held the position of President since November of 2013, will continue to serve on the IMSA Board of Directors after stepping down.
Atherton got his start in the CART (Indycar) Series in the mid-1980s, serving as a sponsor marketing executive before become president and general manager at what is now Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, where the IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship raced last weekend.
A position at Penske Motorsport as president of Nazareth Speedway and then California Speedway (known today as Auto Club Speedway) preceded a lengthy spell of thirteen years as President and CEO of Panoz Motor Sports Group, where he played a role in the merger between the American Le Mans Series and Grand American Road Racing Association (better known as Grand-Am). The two groups would merge into the International Motor Sports Association, or IMSA for short, where Atherton would assume the role he currently holds.
“As anyone involved in professional motorsports knows, it’s not a job – it’s a lifestyle,” Atherton said. “For the past 34 years it has been an honor and a privilege to work with some of the most iconic venues and personalities in the industry.
I am thankful for the countless men and women I have worked with who enabled me to have a career that has far exceeded my wildest dreams. But I especially want to thank my family who have supported me every step of the way. IMSA is stronger than ever and I am confident it will continue to grow and prosper.”
“Scott is a racer at heart, but also a businessman and his dedicated, thoughtful leadership has positioned IMSA for continued growth as we begin the next 50 years of our racing heritage,” said Jim France, IMSA Chairman. “We are very grateful for all that he has done for the sport and wish him the absolute best during his well-deserved retirement.”
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