IMCA names Gutowski new competition director
by: Bill Martin

VINTON, IA. (Nov. 15, 2006) – The first licensed IMCA Modified driver in Nebraska is now the sanctioning body’s new competition director.

Omaha native Tom Gutowski will oversee enforcement of IMCA rules and race procedures at special events and weekly programs. He’ll also answer questions from drivers, local track tech inspectors and car builders, and help research future rules for all sanctioned divisions.

“I think I’ve done just about everything else in the industry. This is a great opportunity for me and I’m glad to become part of this organization,” said Gutowski, most recently the general manager and promoter at Nebraska Raceway Park in Greenwood. “I look forward to working with drivers and promoters, and being able to concentrate on one aspect of racing.”

As a driver, he owns a national championship with the National Council of Corvette Clubs and regional championships with the Sports Car Club of America. Gutowski raced in the street stock class before moving to the sanctioned Modifieds, competing at Eagle Raceway during the 1985 and 1986 seasons.

He got into the promotional side of the business in 1989 at Crawford County Speedway in Denison and re-opened Shelby County Speedway in 1991, calling the shots at Harlan for 14 seasons before taking the dual position at NRP. Gutowski also promoted Buena Vista Raceway at Alta for one year.

“I enjoy the travel that this job entails,” he said. “So another thing I’m looking forward to is getting around the country and seeing some of the tracks that I’ve heard about but never visited.”

He’ll attend the national awards banquet on Nov. 25, as well as PRI and area trade shows and auctions before heading south for the Jan. 4-7 Ice Bowl at Talladega, Ala., Short Track.

“Tom has been involved in the racing industry for a long time and has extensive knowledge of our rules, procedures and point system,” IMCA Vice President of Operations Brett Root said. “He was the perfect candidate to handle rule en­forcement issues at special events as well as day to day questions, and to help in our rule making decisions in the future.”