Dan Davis, the former director of motorsports for Ford Motor Company, has been named as the new president and chief operations officer of Miller Motorsports Park.

The appointment, which takes effect immediately, sees Davis, who oversaw Ford's involvement in Champ Car amongst others, replace Alan Wilson, the track's designer and original CEO/GM, who left the company to pursue his interest in a new track-building company, Wilson Sahara Motorsports.

The 59-year old comes to Miller after a 32-year career at Ford Motor Company, the last twelve of which were spent as director of motorsports, which brought him into contact with virtually every area of competition around the world, including Formula One, NASCAR, IndyCars, sportscars and drag racing.

“I am thrilled to have been asked to become a part of the team at America's finest motorsports facility,” Davis said, “I appreciate the confidence shown in me by the Miller family, and I look forward to helping Miller Motorsports Park achieve its vast potential in the years to come.”

Greg Miller, the current CEO of the Larry H Miller Group, said that Davis will be an invaluable asset to the aspiring venue, which plays host to both the ALMS and Grand-Am Rolex Series.

“We are very fortunate to be able to attract a person of Dan Davis' calibre to take the helm at Miller Motorsports Park,” he said, “He is one of the most respected executives in the automotive and motorsports industries, and the perfect choice to take us into the future. We are very pleased that he has agreed to join our team, and we look forward to working with him to craft a prosperous future for this facility.

“On behalf of our family and organisation, I would also like to express our appreciation to Alan Wilson for all that he has done at Miller Motorsports Park. To recall when this was a barren piece of farmland and to see what the facility looks like today, and the reputation it enjoys in the industry, is a testament to Alan's vision and leadership. He will continue to work with us on specific projects in the future, but we wish him well in his other pursuits.”

Wilson will now turn his attention to a new company, Wilson Sahara Motorsports, which he has established in conjunction with Sahara Inc, the builders of Miller Motorsports Park. The 62-year old is widely regarded as one of the world's premier racetrack designers, and a very respected individual in national and international motorsports.

“My initial understanding with Larry Miller was that I would be here for three years - I intended to leave at the end of 2007,” Wilson said, “but I stayed an additional year to help get the HANNspree Superbike World Championship event established.