Gideon accepts post as director of safety initiatives

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR has named Thomas Gideon as its new director of safety initiatives.

Gideon replaces Steve Peterson, who died last year after having spearheaded a number of key safety initiatives in recent seasons.

Gideon will work out of the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C..

Gideon comes to NASCAR from General Motors, where he had worked since 1970, most recently as safety manager for GM Racing from 1997-2008. During that latter period, he managed all aspects of GM driver safety activities for NASCAR, the IndyCar Series, the National Hot Rod Association, the American LeMans Series, the American Speed Association and the United States Auto Club.

While at GM, Gideon developed safety prototype race cars for NASCAR, the NHRA and ASA. In addition, he was involved in validation of restraint systems and data recorders and presented periodic safety lectures to representatives of all sanctioning bodies.

A member of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Gideon serves on the Formula SAE Rules Committee and the SAE Green Racing Challenge Committee.

Gideon is a graduate of Ohio State University, with a degree in mechanical engineering.