Senior VP of competition Pemberton leaves NASCAR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) Robin Pemberton will leave his position as NASCAR's senior vice president of competition at the end of the year.

Pemberton joined the sanctioning body in August 2004 and has overseen all areas of NASCAR competition. With a racing career spanning five decades, Pemberton has been credited as a key component in bridging the gap between the sanctioning body and the racing community.

NASCAR Vice President Mike Helton says Pemberton joined the sanctioning body at a critical time and helped give the series ''credibility and confidence.''

Before the 2010 season, the governing body encouraged drivers to show more aggression and emotion, leading Pemberton to declare, ''Boys, have at it and have a good time.'' It was a slogan that follows NASCAR to this day.

Pemberton will help in the transition to a new competition lead for the balance of the year.