NASCAR National Commissioner

Created by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. as a reward for contributions to the sport of auto racing, the commissioner acts as the final appeal for penalties and sanctions dispensed by the auto racing sanctioning body.

Established by Bill France, Sr., the position of National Honorary Commissioner of Racing was intended to be a powerless, honorary title in recognition of lifetime contributions to the sport of stock car racing.

[1] The title was originally awarded by France to Erwin Baker, known as "Cannonball"; following his tenure in the position, he was replaced by General Motors design czar – and personal friend of "Big Bill" France – Harley Earl, with Earl being followed by Dixiecrat Mendel Rivers.

[1] The position has, over the years, evolved into the final court of appeal for those protesting penalties and sanctions administered by NASCAR to its competitors.

[3] As of 2010[update] the NASCAR National Commissioner is John Middlebrook, who assumed the post upon the retirement of Charles D. Strang before the start of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.