CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR and Watkins Glen International veteran Michael Printup is assuming the role of chief operating officer of Parella Motorsports Holdings (PMH).
He will oversee the operations of the Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA).
“In his short time with Parella Motorsports Holdings, Michael has been using his vast experience to expand track relationships and enhance company communication,” said Tony Parella, owner of PMH. “We believe this experience will benefit the Trans Am Series and Parella Motorsports Holdings as a whole.”
Printup joined PMH last year and has been serving as president of SVRA since July.
The Hamburg, N.Y., native previously spent nearly three decades working for NASCAR, most notably in the role of president of Watkins Glen International. He was also president of Americrown and, more recently, he oversaw the Levy food service contract for 12 NASCAR-owned racetracks, and directed the Mobil 1 show car program for Tony Stewart.
“It is an honor be named COO and take over the helm of Trans Am,” Printup said. “The accomplishments of John Clagett and his impact on Trans Am speaks for itself. The continued leadership from Tony has been and will be paramount for PMH moving forward.”
John Clagett has served as President and CEO of Trans Am Race Company for 13 years and been affiliated with the Trans Am Series for 31-plus years, previously holding the role of Vice President of SCCA Pro Racing and liaison to the Trans Am Council, and as the series’ executive director through two ownership transitions.
Under Clagett’s leadership, the Trans Am Race Company has generated a 10-fold increase in revenue over the past decade, while upgrading the series’ race operations, marketing, broadcast and social media outreach.
Last year’s accomplishments include the successful integration of the Flagtronics electronic marshalling platform, and a robust and growing broadcast package with MAVTV which includes live broadcasts, highlight coverage and a Trans Am docuseries.
“My goodness, it seems like yesterday when I became an employee of SCCA, and just a moment ago when I started to form the re-makings of the Trans Am Series with Trans Am Race Company,” reflected Clagett. “It all flew by because I loved what I did, and it never felt like work. But at the same time, my time with the series has been all-consuming.
“I care so much about the success of Trans Am that I put everything into it. That came at the cost of working nonstop for all these years. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to accomplish all that I have and that I’ve had an amazing team around me. I’m at the point where I can look at the culmination of all that hard work and see how the series has flourished.
“I’m confident that now is the time that I can step back, turn my focus towards an advisory role, and leave Trans Am in capable hands.”
“We appreciate everything John Clagett has done for Trans Am,” Parella said. “During his tenure, we have seen the addition of new classes, such as TA2, which has had incredible growth. He navigated the series through unprecedented times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, retaining momentum by creating an Esports racing series. He is continuing to assist us in an advisory role through the end of the season.”
The 2024 Trans Am Series season kicks off on Feb. 22-25 at Sebring Int’l Raceway.