Safety boss Nelson to form own firm.

Gary Nelson, NASCAR vice-president of research and development, has left his current post to form his own company.

"It has been a lifelong dream of mine to have my own company that specialises in safety, performance and other technology-driven aspects of motorsports," said Nelson. "I've been thinking about it for a long time and now is a good time to do it."

"Nelson & Associates' will be open for business right away and I'm delighted that NASCAR will be my first client," Nelson added.

With NASCAR as a client, Nelson will continue his efforts on the Car of Tomorrow and other safety initiatives for the racing industry.

"Gary has been a great contributor to NASCAR's success," said NASCAR President Mike Helton, "beginning as a crew member, then as a championship crew chief and, most recently, as a leader in NASCAR's commitment to safety.

"This is something he has always wanted to do and it will be a great opportunity for Gary to take advantage of his racing knowledge and make it available to the entire motorsports industry. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Gary in this new role," Helton said.

Nelson will use his quarter-century of experience in NASCAR racing and make it available to other forms of racing. The 52-year-old native of California won the 1982 Daytona 500 and the 1983 Cup championship with driver Bobby Allison. Three years later, Nelson again won the Daytona 500 this time with driver Geoff Bodine.

Nelson became NASCAR's Nextel Cup Director in 1992 and was named Vice President of NASCAR's newly formed Research and Development facility in 2002.