Tracks: Pat Patterson joins speedway staff, DeFazio named C.O.O. at Irwindale
22 October 1999
Irwindale, Calif. - - (October 22, 1999) Irwindale Speedway President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Williams today announced two important changes in the senior staff of Irwindale Speedway ...The addition of well-known television producer/personality Pat Patterson to fill the top marketing position and the elevation of General Manager Robert (Bob) DeFazio to the position of Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. Patterson, 42, has assumed the title of Vice President, Sales/Marketing and Broadcast Operations at the Speedway and will work in those areas to advance the brand-new facility's image and national status as a top motorsports venue. "We are very pleased to have Pat come aboard," Williams indicated. "His credentials are impeccable and enthusiasm for this facility seems almost boundless. He's a rare talent, a real outside-the-box thinker, and a true motorsports phenomena. He has us all very excited about the possibilities for our 2000 season and beyond .. We expect great things." DeFazio, 47, who oversaw the design and construction phase of the Speedway as Construction Manager, and who then took over the day-to-day operations of the race track beginning on Opening Day 1999. "Bob's abilities as a leader have been well-proven in our first two years here," said Williams. "He knows this speedway from every side of its operation, he's the 'go-to' guy that I count on to keep the place running smoothly. He and his staff make it all look effortless from the outside, that's his personal style ..The results are all quite evident." Pat Patterson would be best known to many racing fans as the on air host of the original "RaceDay" on TNN. That show, with its unique morning and evening editions, broke new ground in same-day motorsports reporting and must be considered as the spiritual godfather of the many daily motorsports magazine shows that entertain and inform racing fans today. A few of the honors bestowed on Patterson include "Sprint Car Media Person of the Year" (1992, 93, 94), the Specialty Promotions Award from Open Wheel/Stock car Racing Magazine (1993), and his 1997 election to the Automotive Hall of Fame Board of Directors. Born in Ashboro, North Carolina, Patterson has been both a car owner (NASCAR Busch Grand National car #63, 1998), and professional driver (NASCAR Southwest Series 1997, 98 and the Mechanix Wear Speed Truck Series 1999). Patterson was president of Patterson International from 1984 to 1996. His company was acquired by Jefferson Pilot Sports (Charlotte, NC) where he served as GM of motorsports during 1996 - 97. He also produced a nationally-distributed annual publication, "Pat Patterson's Guide to Motorsports", during the 1996, '97 and '98 racing seasons.