Lexington, KY --- North America Racing Association (NARA) president Spencer Wilson and partner James Essex have been busy putting their 2004 debut season of their new series together and today in Florida announced that long time industry mover and shaker Jay Parrish has come on board with the series to assist in marketing, promotions and other duties for the new series. Parrish will also assist with the O'Reilly Auto Parts NARA Battle of the Bluegrass DirtCar Series and the NARA Battle of the Bluegrass Open Wheel Modified Series, two Kentucky based touring series.
“Well at this point I have variable duties with Spencer and I am extremely excited about being with NARA and the BOB series and working with James Essex,” stated Parrish, who resides in Florida and has worked all over the country in the motorsports industry. “I had never met the gentleman but everything I hear about him is fantastic. But NARA appears to be on the road upwards and I have a tremendous amount of faith in the organization and the people associated with it.”
Parrish, who most recently worked in marketing and promotions for East Bay Raceway, will hold down various duties with the NARA.
“One of my duties will be the sponsor hunt,” revealed Parrish. “We want to make the series grow and I’m really going to concentrate on sponsors. Also Spencer said you can do whatever you want to do, so I will probably be one of the pit stewards. So I will actually be either giving or getting directions, you know how that goes. But I’ll be out there and be a hands-on guy, which is what I really like to do.”
Parrish, well known in the Sprint Car industry, has always been one who enjoys working in the ‘trenches’. “Yes I do, that’s where it is at. The fans make the races as far as getting them there and making the races affordable for everyone. But the racers put the show on, and most of the time it’s good to be there with the racers (laughs)!”
Wilson, who has been busy working on the series’’04 schedule, was enthusiastic in revealing that NARA was able to hire the top flight professional. “You know we’ve been trying to get this worked out for awhile and with everything coming together I think it will be the glue that will make everything stick together,” commented Wilson.
Wilson is also confident in Parrish’s abilities and his well-established reputation and experience.
“I hope we can tap into that experience and that we can build something that will be there a long time,” said Wilson. “You know, a team with Jay, James and myself, I think we can be pretty strong once we get everything working on our direction and I think we’ve got staying power knowing that Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Parrish will also maintain his ties with SLS Promotions, consisting of promoters Steve Sinclair, Larry Hilrude and Scott Boyd. The trio will promote 17 World of Outlaw Sprint Car races this year and Parrish assists in marketing.
In recent weeks and months Parrish, in industry circles, has been a man in demand as several high-profile opportunities had been offered to the friendly ex-military man. One had to be curious as to why Parrish had chosen to become associated with NARA.
“I see the attitude of Spencer Wilson and the guys that he works with,” responded Parrish. “He is there with the guys, he’s always talking with everyone and the relationships seem to be very good on every end from the tire manufacturers to some of the product manufacturers. And then I see how people, like CJ Rayburn treats him. The entire organization is great.”
“It is a challenge and we’re taking as big of steps that we feel we can take to satisfy the racers and fans. We’re not out to burn any bridges with anyone, any dirt Late Model organizations at all. That’s not the purpose of the NARA. We want to work with those other organizations, no matter who they are.”
For more info on NARA visit: http://www.naradirtcar.com
“Well at this point I have variable duties with Spencer and I am extremely excited about being with NARA and the BOB series and working with James Essex,” stated Parrish, who resides in Florida and has worked all over the country in the motorsports industry. “I had never met the gentleman but everything I hear about him is fantastic. But NARA appears to be on the road upwards and I have a tremendous amount of faith in the organization and the people associated with it.”
Parrish, who most recently worked in marketing and promotions for East Bay Raceway, will hold down various duties with the NARA.
“One of my duties will be the sponsor hunt,” revealed Parrish. “We want to make the series grow and I’m really going to concentrate on sponsors. Also Spencer said you can do whatever you want to do, so I will probably be one of the pit stewards. So I will actually be either giving or getting directions, you know how that goes. But I’ll be out there and be a hands-on guy, which is what I really like to do.”
Parrish, well known in the Sprint Car industry, has always been one who enjoys working in the ‘trenches’. “Yes I do, that’s where it is at. The fans make the races as far as getting them there and making the races affordable for everyone. But the racers put the show on, and most of the time it’s good to be there with the racers (laughs)!”
Wilson, who has been busy working on the series’’04 schedule, was enthusiastic in revealing that NARA was able to hire the top flight professional. “You know we’ve been trying to get this worked out for awhile and with everything coming together I think it will be the glue that will make everything stick together,” commented Wilson.
Wilson is also confident in Parrish’s abilities and his well-established reputation and experience.
“I hope we can tap into that experience and that we can build something that will be there a long time,” said Wilson. “You know, a team with Jay, James and myself, I think we can be pretty strong once we get everything working on our direction and I think we’ve got staying power knowing that Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Parrish will also maintain his ties with SLS Promotions, consisting of promoters Steve Sinclair, Larry Hilrude and Scott Boyd. The trio will promote 17 World of Outlaw Sprint Car races this year and Parrish assists in marketing.
In recent weeks and months Parrish, in industry circles, has been a man in demand as several high-profile opportunities had been offered to the friendly ex-military man. One had to be curious as to why Parrish had chosen to become associated with NARA.
“I see the attitude of Spencer Wilson and the guys that he works with,” responded Parrish. “He is there with the guys, he’s always talking with everyone and the relationships seem to be very good on every end from the tire manufacturers to some of the product manufacturers. And then I see how people, like CJ Rayburn treats him. The entire organization is great.”
“It is a challenge and we’re taking as big of steps that we feel we can take to satisfy the racers and fans. We’re not out to burn any bridges with anyone, any dirt Late Model organizations at all. That’s not the purpose of the NARA. We want to work with those other organizations, no matter who they are.”
For more info on NARA visit: http://www.naradirtcar.com
