THE TEAM
"After the drivers are happy, then we focus on our marketing efforts and try to fill the grandstands.
We're trying to be honest, fair and keep
a good synergy among our competitors,
partners and fans."
— Owen Pittman
OWEN PITTMAN
PROMOTER
Owen Pittman is at the helm of HMP Oval Track. The longtime race official, announcer and promoter has an extensive background in organizing and promoting short track events in Texas. His passion for racing has driven him to save more than one short oval track from near extinction.
He's obsessed with putting on a good show, creating a family friendly environment, being fair to competitors and focused on building on the momentum he has initiated in Houston.
"After the drivers are happy, then we focus on our marketing efforts and try to fill the grandstands. We're trying to be honest, fair and keep a good synergy among our competitors, partners and fans."
KAREN GORDON
MARKETING AND EVENT COORDINATION
Karen Gordon joins the HMP Oval Track team in 2024 to assist with sponsorship, marketing and event coordination. She has an impressive background in motorsports including event planning, communications, and sponsor relations.
Contract to the International Motorsports Association (IMSA) and the Champ Car World Series (CCWS nee CART IndyCar) over the course of 30-years, she has acquired a deep knowledge of every facet of motorsports marketing. From media relations to awards banquets, signage placement and network television she has worked hundreds of events from the 24 Hours at Daytona to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
She is enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring her experience and knowledge to help grow the family of fans, competitors and sponsors at HMP The Oval.
MIKE MECUM
TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATION
Mike Mecum has been around the local racing scene since 2015. He has spent time behind the wheel of the FWD classes, kickin’ up dirt at 105, Gator and Battleground and screechin’ around the oval at HMP. With a passion towards keeping the only asphalt short oval track in Texas alive, Mike continues to be involved with event messaging and coordination.
As part of the behind-the-scenes team, Mike recognizes the collaborative effort needed to run well-oiled events and cater to the needs of fans, drivers and sponsors. He takes pride in being an integral part of the team and focusing on growing the Houston Motorsports Park Oval Track.
KEVIN SULLIVAN
CHIEF FLAGMAN
Kevin fell in love with racing at age 11 when Jerry Edwards, a local race shop fabricator, introduced him to cars. In 1986 Kevin started racing Pure Stock before switching to Mini Stock, fielding a variety of cars on asphalt. He went on to race an IMCA Modified on dirt, and in 2003, began flagging at the Corpus Christie Speedway where he met HMP Oval Track promoter, Owen Pittman.
That’s where the lifelong racing friendship began. Since then, Kevin has flagged for Owen at the at the I37 dirt track, South Texas Speedway, Corpus Christie Speedway—and now, HMP The Oval Track.
Kevin brings decades of experience and understands Owen’s philosophy of putting on a great show while keeping the drivers happy by focusing on being fair. In between flagging, Kevin has fielded a few different race cars of his own. Kevin and his wife Debbie live in Palestine, Texas.
TERRY BARDEN
RACE DIRECTOR
Terry Barden is a veteran of oval track racing having gotten his start in 1963 when his father took him to the old Pan American Speedway in San Antonio, Texas. In 1974 Terry started working on race cars with Waldo Harper who fielded cars at Pan American and later, San Antonio Speedway.
The first time he got behind the wheel was at San Antonio where he raced until he was injured in an accident. In 1989 he transitioned to tech inspection at San Antonio before becoming Race Director in 1990—where he stayed until a new opportunity arose. When Robert Mullins launched the ROMCO Super Late Modified Series he brought Terry in as the Race Director. After that, Terry worked as Race Director at Thunder Hill and HMS.
Terry Barden brings a lifetime of experience as Race Director to HMP Oval Track.
DEBRA SULLIVAN
REGISTRAR AND ADMINISTRATION
Debbie got her start in racing at age 16 hanging out with good friends at a drag strip in Corpus Christie. The following year, she met Sandra and Frank Hoch who operated Corpus Christie Speedway and began working the snack bar. When she turned 21, she started selling beer for them. The track changed hands and she stayed on until 1993 working many different positions. That same year she got behind the wheel of a mini stock race car for one season.
Debbie stepped away from racing until Owen brought her in to work the pit booth at South Texas Speedway. She started at HMP The Oval Track in 2022 and stayed on when Owen Pittman became promoter.
You’ll see Debbie at the track on weekends manning registration, selling tires, paying prize money, and helping in any way she’s needed. Debbie and her husband Kevin live in Palestine, Texas.