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Sonoma Raceway will be under new management starting this fall.
Brian Flynn was named executive vice president and general manager next Wednesday, replacing Jill Gregory, who is creating her own marketing and management consulting firm, according to a press release. Gregory, who has served as executive vice president and general manager since January 2021, will stay on through the summer to help with Flynn’s transition to the new role. He will officially take over on August 1.
“Sonoma Raceway is one of the premier motorsport venues not just on the West Coast but in the country,” Flynn said in a statement. “Working with (Speedway Motorsports President and CEO Marcus Smith) and the talented team at Speedway Motorsports and Sonoma Raceway will continue to be a dream come true.
“I look forward to pursuing new event opportunities and engaging our teammates to continue to grow Sonoma’s position in the motorsports entertainment and driving experience landscape.”
Flynn is a veteran of the motorsport industry and business management, bringing nearly 30 years of experience to the field. This will be his first time as Sports Venue Manager after consulting for 18 months with Sonoma Raceway on its high performance driving, karting and hospitality services.
“Brian Flynn is an expert in many aspects of the motorsports entertainment industry,” Smith said in a statement. “His familiarity with Sonoma Raceway and his relationships with race teams, sponsors and industry leaders make him the perfect person to continue to build on what Jill and the Sonoma team have created over the the last two and a half years.”
During his tenure, Gregory led Sonoma Raceway through several new ventures and helped the venue navigate its return from COVID. His first client from his new marketing company will be Speedway Motors, the parent company of Sonoma Raceway and a number of other top tracks across the country.
“I now look forward to a new advisory relationship with Marcus and Brian to continue to develop Sonoma Raceway as an experience-based tourist destination while supporting Speedway Motorsports in other business aspects,” she said. stated in the press release.
Flynn has served as CEO of Marty Snider and Associates, a video production and marketing company with clients including NBC Sports and FedEx, since 2018. He has also served as a management consultant at Thorsport Racing, Zero1 Off Road and Speedway Motors over the last four years. .
Prior to his current role, he held a multitude of roles for Richard Petty Driving Experience including Managing Director, COO and President. During his tenure, from 1996 to 2008, RPDE became the largest consumer operator of stock car and driving experiences in the world.
He eventually took over as CEO of Petty Holdings LLC in 2009, a position he held until 2018. Petty Holdings LLC includes RPDE and Petty Enterprises, where Flynn served as NASCAR racing team president from 2000 to 2005.
He was also president and chief operating officer of the Diamond Ridge Motorsports NASCAR racing team from 1993 to 1996.
Yesou can contact editor Gus Morris at 707-304-9372 or [email protected]. On Twitter @JustGusPD.