DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Tom Bledsoe has been named president of GRAND-AM Road Racing, it was announced today by the sports car sanctioning body.

Bledsoe has served as GRAND-AM's chief operation officer and vice president since December 2007, and has been acting president since Roger Edmondson took a leave of absence earlier this year due to health reasons.

The board of directors promoted Bledsoe to the highest position within GRAND-AM Road Racing based on the effectiveness and leadership qualities he has demonstrated during this season, while building on the stability of the overall company.

"I am looking forward to meeting the challenge," Bledsoe said. "This year we've seen record attendance and double-digit television ratings, while maintaining an average combined car count of nearly 100 between the Rolex Sports Car Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge."

Bledsoe oversees all aspects of GRAND-AM's strategic vision and includes direct oversight of the company's competition and administration departments in his new role.

Prior to joining GRAND-AM, Bledsoe had been a integral part of NASCAR for the past 19 years, as NASCAR grew to the number one motorsports sanctioning body in the country. The veteran executive's knowledge and experience has been instrumental in generating similar additional growth and expansion to GRAND-AM.

While at NASCAR, Bledsoe served as treasurer and chief financial officer.

A second-generation Daytona Beach resident, Bledsoe graduated from the University of South Florida. He currently lives in New Smyrna Beach, Fla.