RFK Racing has officially selected Chip Bowers as its new president, marking a significant shift as the NASCAR team, partly owned by Fenway Sports Group, seeks fresh commercial leadership. This latest appointment of RFK Racing’s new president brings a seasoned sports business executive into the role, with Bowers set to begin on Monday following the departure of Steve Newmark, who is headed to the University of North Carolina.
Chip Bowers Steps in as President After Wide-Ranging Search
After Steve Newmark announced his exit in July, RFK Racing launched an extensive search for a new president, enlisting not only input from within the NASCAR sphere but also exploring options outside the industry. The process was supported by CAA Executive Search and, according to sources familiar with the search, involved discussions with a variety of strong candidates before the team named Bowers for the role.
Chip Bowers comes to RFK Racing following his tenure as president at Elevate, a sports marketing agency operating in Charlotte with motorsports ties. His professional experience spans a range of major sports franchises, including the Miami Marlins, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, Seattle SuperSonics, and San Diego Padres. With a solid background in sponsorship sales and marketing strategies, Bowers brings skills that are considered highly relevant in the sponsor-driven model of NASCAR teams, where sponsorship accounts for a considerable portion of annual revenue.
Leadership Structure and Commercial Ambitions
The ownership group at RFK Racing is comprised of Fenway Sports Group, NASCAR Hall of Famer Jack Roush, and driver Brad Keselowski, who is also recognized as the 2012 NASCAR Cup Series champion. This multi-faceted leadership team manages not only racing operations but also works to maintain and grow sponsor relationships. Industry shifts may see sponsorship play a slightly reduced role in the team’s overall revenue strategy as the broader NASCAR organization adjusts its media revenue sharing structure.
Jack Roush, known for his engineering acumen and Michigan-based automotive businesses, delivers technical depth to the team. Brad Keselowski, a driver and an entrepreneur in advanced manufacturing, brings further innovation, drawing on his experience as founder of a 3D printing and manufacturing company. Their combined expertise helps connect the team brand to both engineering and automotive communities, particularly those rooted in Michigan.
Commercial Partnerships and Team Dynamics
RFK Racing enjoys the support of a blend of major corporate partners, such as Kroger targeting consumers, and B2B-facing sponsors like technology company Trimble. The team, which fields three cars in the NASCAR Cup Series, retains a focused business staff of about 20 employees specializing in marketing, sales, and accounting. As Bowers steps in as the new president, his mandate will include strengthening these partnerships and seeking fresh growth opportunities for the organization.
Voices from the Team and Bowers’ Professional Background
Reflecting on the appointment, Brad Keselowski remarked that Bowers
has proven he can grow organizations and think creatively in some of the most competitive sports markets.
Brad Keselowski, Race Team Owner and Driver. Bowers’s educational background links him closely to the world of NASCAR as well, having attended Appalachian State in North Carolina, a common touchpoint for many across the Carolina-based motorsports industry.
What This Means for RFK Racing
The addition of Chip Bowers signals an intent by RFK Racing to strengthen its business operations as it navigates competitive challenges within NASCAR. By leveraging Bowers’s experience from the wider sports industry, the team hopes to drive commercial innovation, reinforce sponsor relationships, and advance its performance both on and off the race track. As RFK Racing transitions under new leadership, industry observers will be watching to see how this blend of sporting, business, and technical expertise shapes the organization’s next chapter.
