Doug Pace: Chad Little offers technical assistance to NASCAR

This weekend’s national racing schedule includes two of the most iconic events in motorsports, the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600.

The prestige and test of endurance each race brings make the pair something every driver in any discipline dreams to attempt even once should they reach the highest levels of professional racing.

Two drivers with Spokane roots have competed in the Indy 500 and Coke 600, Tom Sneva and Chad Little, respectively. Sneva tasted the milk as an Indy winner in 1983 while Little posted several strong finishes in the Coke 600 during his illustrious career.

Both drivers retired having accomplished much in their careers. Sneva turned to broadcasting while Little chose the administrative side of the sport.

During the course of Little’s management career with NASCAR, he’s served as the director of the Toyota Mexico Series, Whelen Modified Series and most recently the Camping World Truck Series.

In recent years the sanctioning body has focused on improving its pit road officiating system. Little was the person its leaders felt would be best for the new director’s role.

“NASCAR has made significant investments in both the technical inspection and officiating areas of our sport,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. “Those areas have become flagship examples of innovation, keeping NASCAR as a premier sport. Chad is an ideal candidate to provide oversight and lead us to further evolve in those critical areas.”

Little has been on the job since the season started in February at Daytona.

“In this new role I am the managing director of technical inspections and officiating,” Little said. “I’m directly responsible for overseeing what we inspect and how the PRO (pit road officials) trailer (where video cameras and other equipment monitor pit stalls for each of the 43 cars in a race), penalties, managing our officiating staff and working with the series directors and engineers on how we can make the events more successful.”

Continuing to add new technologies to the system is part of the process for Little and his team.

With more than 10 years dedicated to management, Little, whose family once owned Stateline Speedway, had an inkling he may go from racing in NASCAR to being one of its leaders.

“When I was laser-focused on my driving career, I thought of nothing else but how to succeed and win races,” he said. “As my career wound down, I began thinking about options to remain involved in the industry and working for NASCAR was on the top of the list.”

Little still gets to the track to root on his son Jesse, who has progressed through the ranks and will make his Camping World Truck Series debut next weekend at Dover International Speedway.

The race team is owned by Chad’s brother, Jason, and is aligned with reigning Truck Series championship team, ThorSport Racing. The Little family looks forward to seeing the third- generation NASCAR driver take to the Delaware track next weekend behind the wheel of his Toyota Tundra.

“Jesse’s career parallels mine in many respects,” Chad said. “We’re all very excited about Jesse’s first Truck race. He started racing when he was 7 and has a tremendous amount of experience for 18 years of age.”

For anyone looking to build a career in racing, as a driver or official, Little would offer the same advice he gave his son.

“Respect the industry, understand how it works and who are the key players, and put yourself in a position to take advantage of the next good opportunity,” he said.