YORBA LINDA, Calif. (Sept. 08, 2021) – In an effort to continue to grow partnerships and overall revenue, John Force Racing announced today that they have hired Ted Van Zelst as their Chief Commercial Officer. In this new role, Van Zelst will be responsible for creating new partnerships, enhancing business to business relationships with existing partners and developing successful activation.
“Having the opportunity to work with John Force Racing, the biggest name in drag racing and one of the biggest names in all of motorsports, is an honor,” said Van Zelst who will be based out of the Brownsburg, Indiana shop. “John is a legend and I look forward to helping to build his legacy by way of building a comprehensive team to further engage current partners and pursue new business.”
Van Zelst joins John Force Racing with 25 years of experience securing corporate sponsorship, handling high level partners and building lasting relationships with key contributors. Most recently the President / CEO of Zeker Solutions, a consulting agency that specializes in sponsorships, sales, brand consulting, business development and property evaluation, Van Zelst has worked with top tier organizations to elevate their success across all metrics. He has held senior leadership positions with the Detroit Pistons, NASCAR, WWE and the New York Islanders.
“The way business is being done has changed and I need to change with it. Hiring Ted is a step in the right direction. The direction of keeping John Force Racing, my family and my legacy, alive and well for years to come,” said John Force, owner and CEO of John Force Racing and 16-time championship driver of the PEAK Antifreeze and Coolant Chevrolet Camaro. “Having Robert Hight as President of the company and now hiring Ted, and the team he is putting together, we’ll be able to create and maintain high level partnerships for years to come.”
John Force Racing conducted their nationwide search for a high-level business development position through Cincinnati-based Ascension Sports Partners, LLC. Launched by Dan Rossetti in 2008, Ascension Sports Partners, LLC is an agency dedicated to recruiting the very best in sports business in order to help organizations ascend to the next level of success.
About John Force Racing
John Force Racing, Inc., based in Yorba Linda, Calif., and Brownsburg, Ind., is a professional sports dynasty, one that has earned 21 NHRA championships and claimed 288 professional victories in Funny Car (276) and Top Fuel (12). Led by team owner and driver John Force, a 16-time Funny Car world champion, 1996 Driver of the Year for all of American motor racing, 2011 International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, and driver of the PEAK / BlueDEF Chevrolet Camaro SS Funny Car, JFR is additionally comprised of Auto Club of Southern California Chevrolet Camaro SS driver Robert Hight, 2019, 2017 and 2009 Funny Car world champion and 2005 NHRA Rookie of the Year; and Monster Energy / Flav-R-Pac Top Fuel driver Brittany Force, 2017 Top Fuel world champion and 2013 NHRA Rookie of the Year.