Former Grand-Am president Tom Bledsoe dies at 71

Tom Bledsoe, the former President of Grand-Am Road Racing, has died at age 71.

Bledsoe spent his career in motor racing working primarily for NASCAR and its subsidiary Grand-Am, which merged with the American Le Mans Series to form today’s IMSA in 2014. After working for NASCAR since 1990, and serving as its treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Bledsoe moved to Grand-Am to become the series’ Chief Operating Officer in 2007.

He then was promoted to President of Grand-Am, serving in the role from 2010 to 2012. Upon his promotion, Bledsoe told the Daytona Beach News-Journal in a 2010 interview, “One thing interesting to me is that I've found that sports car racing is a community that in most ways isn't much different than that of the stock car community. 

“Though the cars may look or race differently, all involved still are racers. They think a lot alike, have the same worries and concerns and love the sport to no end.”

During his time in Grand-Am, Bledsoe oversaw the series’ growth in the Daytona Prototype-led era, culminating in the Grand-Am/ALMS merger and the further explosion in North American sports car racing’s popularity. At the end of 2012, Bledsoe stepped down from his role to become Vice President of Administration, and naming Ed Bennett – now the CEO of IMSA – as his successor. 

A joint statement issued by Bennett and IMSA President John Doonan reads, "On behalf of our IMSA and NASCAR teammates, we extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of former Grand-Am President and longtime NASCAR executive Tom Bledsoe, who passed away over the weekend. 

“Tom played an instrumental role in the growth of endurance sports car racing throughout the 2000s and early 2010s, helping lay the foundation for the continued success IMSA enjoys today following the merger of Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series in 2012.

“He was a respected leader and valued teammate within the Grand-Am organization, including among several individuals who remain part of the IMSA family today. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tom's family and friends during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed.”