In 2022, Ken was the subject of his memoir, "Sea to Shining Sea: Racing from the Wild West to Daytona," cementing his legacy within the industry.
DANVILLE, CA, October 10, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ken Clapp has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ken has established a distinguished career in motorsports, which has been marked by significant achievements and leadership roles. As the senior vice president of NASCAR, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization's growth and development in the Western United States for the past 60 years. Ken's expertise in marketing development has also been instrumental in overseeing corporate events and board selection for the Hall of Fame.
In addition to his longstanding tenure with NASCAR, Ken has continued to demonstrate his versatility and entrepreneurial spirit through other successful business endeavors outside of racing, including The Vehicle Recycling Services LLC, where he continues to apply his business acumen to the automotive recycling industry as a senior partner and member of the board of directors.
Ken began racing when he was 12 years old, hanging around a garage that held race cars. As he grew older, he became involved in NASCAR events as a pit crew member in 1955, and his team won NASCAR's Pacific Coast Grand National Title that year. Ken went on to become the youngest crew chief on the West Coast.
Later, Ken's military career began with service in the U.S. Navy, where he served for three years. This experience instilled in him a sense of discipline and commitment, which has been evident throughout his professional journey. His military background also provided a strong foundation for his subsequent roles in the competitive world of motorsports.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Ken is actively involved in several civic organizations. He serves as the board chair for the West Coast Stock Car Motor Sports Hall of Fame. He also holds positions on the boards of directors for Worldwide Technology Gateway Raceway, the American Motorsports Hall of Fame, the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame and the National Hot Rod Association, where he served for eight years. Furthermore, prior to his retirement, Ken was active on the board of directors for the USS Iowa Battleship Foundation, a part of the Pacific Battleship Fleet Foundation and a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of the USS Iowa. Aside from these affiliations, he remains dedicated to mentoring the youth, reflecting his desire to give back to the community and inspire future generations.
A key milestone in Ken's career occurred on December 16, 1983, when NASCAR underwent a major executive-level overhaul during a meeting in Florida. On this day, Ken was promoted to vice president of Western operations along with his longtime friend, football great Les Richter, with specific regional responsibilities alongside his close friend Les Richter. Their friendship dates back to 1961 and has been marked by various ventures and shared interests within the racing industry.
In 2022, Ken was the subject of his memoir, "Sea to Shining Sea: Racing from the Wild West to Daytona," further cementing his legacy within the industry. The memoir, written by Bones Bourcier, details the history of West Coast racing, his personal experiences and his rise from spectator to senior leadership at NASCAR. It is over 400 pages long, including 152 pages of photographs. Bourcier has been recognized as the foremost author of NASCAR biographies, and he combined his expert writing with Ken's storytelling to produce a work that both men are proud of. All proceeds of Ken's memoir sales go to charitable organizations.
Ken's contributions to motorsports have also been recognized through numerous awards. He is an inductee into three different halls of fame including Motorsports Hall of Fame of the Western United States, the Sonoma Raceway Wall of Fame and the West Coast Stock Car/Motor Sports Hall of Fame in its inaugural year of 2001. Ken attributes much of his success to the support from his parents, who instilled in him values of honesty and integrity that have been crucial throughout his career.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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