![\"Supercars](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Neil-Crompton.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNeil Crompton and Barclay Nettlefold pictured at Taupo. Image: InSyde Media <\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNeil Crompton and Barclay Nettlefold pictured at Taupo. Image: InSyde Media <\/p>\n
The championship has officially commenced the search for its new CEO following the sudden exit of James Warburton at the start of last month.<\/a><\/p>\n Supercars has engaged Sports Advisory Partners to run a recruitment process, which Nettlefold told Speedcafe should take six to eight weeks.<\/p>\n Nettlefold took over as interim CEO following Warburton\u2019s departure amid suggestions he could look to hold onto the role on a permanent basis.<\/p>\n The former Swimming Australia chief has been somewhat in the background as chairman since putting together the RACE consortium that bought Supercars in 2021.<\/p>\n Although not ruling out staying on in the high-profile and demanding CEO position, Nettlefold said the recruitment process must play out first.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve started the process in regards to the CEO replacement, and that process is well underway,\u201d Nettlefold told Speedcafe at Symmons Plains.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s in excess of 40 candidates already that have put their name up, so there\u2019s big demand.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day we\u2019ve got a board, we\u2019ve got governance to work with.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll see what comes out of the process first and what the head hunters have for us.\u201d<\/p>\n Claims that Nettlefold wants to install Crompton in the role have swirled since the duo were seen celebrating Toyota\u2019s first Supercars victory together in Taupo last month.<\/p>\n Crompton, 65, was ousted from his long-time position as lead Supercars commentator under a shakeup of the broadcast spearheaded by Warburton ahead of this season.<\/p>\n The Hall of Famer has since taken up a motorsport advisory role with Toyota<\/a> and a consulting position with Brad Jones Racing.<\/a><\/p>\n Warburton\u2019s own exit from Supercars has opened the possibility of a remarkable turnaround, should Crompton want the role.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve encouraged him, I\u2019ve said that I welcome him to be in the process. Absolutely,\u201d confirmed Nettlefold.<\/p>\n \u201cNeil\u2019s got a lot of experience in the sport, he\u2019s got a lot of friends in the sport.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s been great for the sport and I\u2019m encouraging anyone that feels they want to put their hand up for the role, they should.\u201d<\/p>\n Neil Crompton in his new role with Toyota. Image: Richard Gresham<\/p>\n Crompton was also sounded out for the Supercars CEO role the last time Warburton left the company at the end of 2017.<\/p>\n He declined at that time citing the complexity of the position, but subsequently declared he\u2019d \u201cnever say never\u201d to future opportunities.<\/p>\n The Daily Telegraph reports that others contacted about the Supercars CEO position include Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy, former AGPC chief Andrew Westacott and ex-F1 race director Michael Masi.<\/p>\n Westacott led the Australian Grand Prix Corporation between 2011 and 2023 and is understood to have been among the final candidates for the Supercars position when it came up last year.<\/p>\n Nettlefold meanwhile appears to be comfortable sinking his teeth into the job, confident in his ability to lead the sport for however long is necessary after a near five-year apprenticeship as chairman.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been very encouraged by the staff\u2019s support and the stakeholder engagement,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve been across the sport for a period of time now. I understand the machinations of the sport better than in the first 12 months.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we were bought into the sport and led it at the start as chair, we had Gen3, we were coming out of COVID, it was challenging.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a lot to do, and I think if you look at what we\u2019ve achieved in the last four and a half years, we\u2019re seeing the fruits of that now.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Neil](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-Supercars-Sydney-500-Friday-Z81_4148.jpg\")
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