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Clinton Snead has been named the new NHRA Director of Engineering. 

Snead returns to NHRA from Toyota Racing Development, where he served as senior engineer. He worked with Top Fuel and Funny Car teams to improve on-track performance, as well as developing and maintaining the NHRA tuning program and engine simulation programs for the nitro teams.

Snead previously worked as associate engineer at NHRA from 2013-2015. He returns to the NHRA Technical Department and will help lead the team that oversees on-track competition and safety. 

In his new role at NHRA, Clinton will be the primary engineer for NHRA and will be responsible for supervising and mentoring the NHRA Tech Department staff, including Joey Gorman (Top Fuel & Funny Car specialist), Josh Hamming (Top Fuel & Funny Car specialist) and Jake Petrusky (associate engineer).  

“I’m most excited to make a positive impact on the sport of drag racing,” Snead said. “Being able to contribute to something I’ve loved my entire life is truly special. It’s an honor to work with the talented NHRA Tech Department team, as well as the teams, manufacturers, and racers who bring so much passion to the sport.”

Snead will report to NHRA Vice President of Competition Ned Walliser and will be based out of NHRA’s Indianapolis office. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Motorsports Engineering from the Purdue School of Engineering & Technology, IUPUI.

“We are thrilled to welcome Clinton back to the NHRA and especially in this important role as Director of Engineering,” Walliser said. “Clinton has an incredible knowledge and love of the sport, and has a great working relationship with our race teams and manufacturers. He is a great addition to our tech department staff, and we look forward to great things from him and our entire team in 2025.”