LAS VEGAS – Neal Reid, a published writer for more than 20 years, has been named media relations manager at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the speedway announced on Friday.
In his new role, Reid will help publicize events at all LVMSfacilities including the Bullring and The Strip, assist with the speedway’s social media efforts, maintain and edit the speedway’s website and oversee all publications.
Reid comes to LVMS after spending the last four years as a full-time freelance writer in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he wrote for a multitude of publications that included USA Today, Newsday, the Colorado Springs Gazette, Denver Post, MLB.com, ESPN.com and ESPNW.com. An Auburn University journalism graduate, Reid is also a longtime Associated Press contributor and covered everything from Air Force football and basketball to the UFC for the worldwide news agency.
Reid spent six years doing media relations work for the Ladies Professional Golf Association from 1998-2004 in Daytona Beach, Fla., where he rose to the title of senior media relations coordinator. He was editor of theProRodeo Sports News – the official national publication of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association – for five years before embarking on his full-time freelance writing career.
Reid spent nine weeks in Sochi, Russia, last year as a sports writer for the Olympic and Paralympic News Service during the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, covering short track speed skating and wheelchair curling.
“Neal has an extensive background in both journalism and media relations, which makes him a perfect addition to our media relations team here at LVMS,” said Jeff Motley, LVMS vice president of public relations. “He has worked on local, national and international levels as a journalist, and he will play a key role as we continue to position Las Vegas Motor Speedway as one of the world’s most prominent sports facilities.”
Las Vegas has been a frequent destination for Reid, who has covered the last 11 Wrangler National Finals Rodeos in December. His “NFR Insider” blog on NFRExperience.com was highly successful the last four years, and Reid served as guest rodeo columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal during the WNFR the last two Decembers.
Reid authored the 2014 book “Rodeo’s Gold Rush: The Stories Behind the Greatest 30 Years in Rodeo History” about the Wrangler NFR’s three decades in Las Vegas. A native of Opelika, Ala., Reid has attended races in Talladega, Daytona Beach, Atlanta and Las Vegas.
Reid’s writing credits also include the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado Springs, as well as NASCAR Xfinity Series and IndyCar races at the former Pikes Peak International Raceway.
“I am very thankful and extremely excited for this opportunity and the chance to work in the motorsports industry at a prestigious organization such as LVMS,” Reid said. “I have been a fan of racing for decades, and it is the fulfillment of a dream to work in this position as LVMS’ media relations manager. I am also thrilled to relocate to Las Vegas, a city I have loved since my first visit in 1999.”
