GLENDORA, Calif. – After 46 years of dedicated service to NHRA and the sport of drag racing, NHRA board chairman Dallas Gardner recently announced his retirement and will hand over the reins to current NHRA CEO Peter Clifford, effective immediately.

Gardner will continue to work with the NHRA as a consultant.

Gardner joined NHRA as treasurer in 1973 and was promoted to vice president and general manager in 1978. On Jan. 1, 1984, he was promoted to NHRA president, becoming just the second president in NHRA history.

Gardner spent 15 years as president, pushing forward a wide range of initiatives including the modernization of racing facilities, improved television programming, and cornerstone programs such as NHRA’s Youth and Education Services and the Jr. Drag Racing League, before becoming chairman of the board in January of 2000.