Chip Wile isn’t leaving VISIT FLORIDA after new job. Instead, he’s rising up to Chair

In November, NASCAR executive Chip Wile announced he was leaving his Florida-based job with the racing organization.

But that doesn’t mean Wile is departing VISIT FLORIDA, where he has served as Vice Chair. In fact, he is getting ready to step up to lead the board as Chair.

“Chip will continue serving the state he calls home and the tourism industry he has long supported through the remainder of his appointment on the VISIT FLORIDA Board,” VISIT FLORIDA spokesperson Allison Hopkins said when Florida Politics asked about Wile’s status following his new job.

“Chip has been a highly engaged and valued member of the VISIT FLORIDA Board for many years, serving in leadership roles across several committees, as Vice Chair last year, and now moving into the Chair position through the Board’s normal succession process.”

Wile, the former President of Daytona International Speedway, had most recently worked as the Senior Vice President and Chief Track Properties Officer of NASCAR, according to his bio. But in November, Wile wrote on X that he was leaving NASCAR.

“Today, I am closing this chapter at NASCAR,” Wile wrote. “Thank you for supporting our sport, pushing us to be better, providing feedback and living and breathing NASCAR.’

Wile moved on to become Executive Director of the NASCAR Drivers’ Advisory Council, which is based in North Carolina. Hopkins said Wile still is helping advance Florida’s tourism.

“He’s focused on helping advance one of Florida’s most important sports and tourism draws,” Hopkins said.

VISIT FLORIDA is the state’s official destination marketing organization.

“Partnering with thousands of businesses across the state, it serves in a leading role within Florida’s tourism ecosystem, protecting and promoting Florida’s $142 billion vacation brand through global marketing, public relations, and travel trade efforts,” the organization says on its website.