Bristol Motor Speedway has announced the hiring of motorsports public relations veteran Anthony Vestal as Director of Communications. For almost two decades, Vestal has led the day-to-day communications program for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).

As a member of the Bristol, Tennessee, race track’s communications team, Vestal will lead efforts for Bristol Dragway, in addition to daily PR operations. He will also assist in integrated strategy, development and execution for all Speedway and ancillary events. In his new role, Vestal will report to Becky Cox, Vice President of Communications.

“We’re thrilled to have found someone who is already familiar with our core communities and is as talented and experienced as Anthony to join our team,” said Jerry Caldwell, executive vice president and general manager for Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway. “His position is a key hire as we continue to strengthen our entire team during Bristol’s pivotal transition to a multi-use sports and entertainment facility.”

Vestal comes to Bristol Motor Speedway with over 30 years of experience in motorsports. For the last 17 years, he has served in various leadership categories, most recently as the Director of Media Relations for NHRA Drag Racing, shaping all day-to-day communications duties for the sanctioning body’s professional series.

Prior to his time at NHRA, Vestal served as an associate editor for a weekly Southeast motorsports magazine, where he reported on all forms of auto racing. Before that he covered college and high school sports for multiple newspapers in Southwest Virginia.

Vestal, a native of nearby Grundy, Virginia, graduated from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.