Steve Hallam brings a world of experience to his role as vice-president and director of competition at Michael Waltrip Racing responsible for managing drivers and crew chiefs.

Hallam moved from England to North Carolina when he joined MWR before the 2009 season giving up his job as head of race operations for McLaren after 27 years as an engineer and manager in Formula One. His resume includes 445 Grand Prix and six world championships.

After just a season with MWR in NASCAR, many credit Hallam’s organization and managerial skills for much of the team’s success. Hallam visited a NASCAR victory lane in May 2009 when David Reutimann earned MWR’s first victory in just its third year of Sprint Cup competition.

"What attracted me to Michael Waltrip Racing was the opportunity to work with a young team and, in particular, to be part of the continued development and growth of the multi-car Cup operation as they strive to provide the best equipment and support for their teams," Hallam said.

"This was a great opportunity to join a closely knit team who are looking to build success by harnessing Toyota engines and technical support to build cars at a level where we can improve upon the tremendous foundation that has already been built."

Toyota's commitment to racing in NASCAR peaked Hallam's interest. As he wanted to learn more about opportunities with NASCAR teams, Pete Spence, Group Vice President and Technical Director for TRD, U.S.A. (Toyota Racing Development) put him in contact with Calvin Wells III at MWR.

"Toyota was very influential with me coming here," Hallam said."When Pete (Spence) started to talk to me and took me to a Cup race in November 2007, I realized there is life outside of Formula One and it was very exciting, different and challenging. I was converted and it didn't take me long to realize I wanted to be a part of that. Pete asked if I minded that he put someone in touch with me. I said no and in no time, Cal called me about a position at MWR. I finished out the season with McLaren and accepted MWR's offer."

Hallam, 57, joined McLaren in December 1990 and was a race engineer for seven years until becoming McLaren's head of race engineering, a role he remained in until being named head of race operations in 2007.

After announcing his move to MWR, Hallam rounded out his last season with McLaren by guiding Lewis Hamilton to the 2008 World Driving Championship with the McLaren-Mercedes Formula One team. It was the sixth time Hallam had been part of a Formula One championship winner, all with the British based McLaren team. In addition to working with Hamilton, the tech ace has also worked with drivers such as Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Michael Andretti, Gerhard Berger, Kimi Raikkonen, Fernando Alonso and Mika Hakkinen.