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NHRA: DeVour appointed by NHRA as liason for Sportsman Racing

4 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

GLENDORA, Calif. - Bob DeVour, a veteran of NHRA sportsman drag racing, has been appointed by the National Hot Rod Association as an advisor to the sanctioning body on a variety of sportsman-related issues, NHRA President Tom Compton announced.

DeVour will work in close cooperation with NHRA's internal operations staff and serve as a liaison to the sportsman racing community. He will communicate directly to Compton on all issues.

"Certainly, our sportsman racers are the essential foundation of NHRA championship drag racing," said Compton. "We're confident that Bob's presence will generate additional avenues for communication between NHRA and our sportsman competitors regarding many complex issues. He brings to NHRA's internal department additional knowledge, experience and depth necessary to address the challenges faced by the sportsman community."

DeVour's appointment is another move by NHRA to enhance its commitment to sportsman racing.

"I'm excited about the opportunity because I feel like I can help," said DeVour. "As a longtime sportsman competitor and someone who has experience in many different levels of motor sports -- from safety to sponsorship -- I feel I can relate to the needs and expectations of NHRA's thousands of sportsman competitors. I hope to provide input on ways to effectively communicate concerns, projects and programs between the racers and the sanctioning body."

DeVour is the vice president of sales and marketing for Center Line Wheels, one of NHRA's longtime corporate sponsors. He has held this position since 1990. DeVour has an even longer career in motor sports, beginning in 1967 with Hurst Performance, where he was one of the co-developers of the 'Jaws Of Life,' a revolutionary safety invention for the motor sports industry.

From 1970 to 1982, DeVour worked as a representative for Mr. Gasket, where he introduced the first service-oriented trailer, built exclusively for travel to racing events. In addition, he served as the program manager for Kenny Bernstein's NASCAR Winston Cup team in the late '80s. DeVour is also a current competitor in NHRA's Federal-Mogul Funny Car category.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 85,000 racers and members nationwide and 142 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series' provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the Federal-Mogul Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and the Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages eight to 17.

Text Provided by NHRA

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