December 5, 2008
Bill France Jr.: 1933-2007
NASCAR architect of success dead at 74
Shrewd decisions transformed sport
Bill France Jr., who transformed NASCAR from a small, southern sport into a billion-dollar conglomerate during his 31 years as chairman, died yesterday at his Daytona Beach, Fla., home. He was 74.
France, who was diagnosed with cancer in 1999, had been in poor health for much of the last decade. Although he was in remission from cancer, the extensive treatments took a toll. He never regained his full strength, often had difficulty breathing and used a motorized scooter to get around.
France was hospitalized at least twice this year, but spent his final days at home. Officials at Dover International Speedway, where the Nextel Cup series was racing yesterday afternoon, lowered the flag in victory lane to half-staff.
"He had a remarkable career and an even more remarkable life," said his son, Brian France, who replaced him as chairman in 2003. "Words cannot express how much he'll be missed by myself and the rest of our family and by the NASCAR industry overall."
An astute businessman who was fiercely protective of his family-owned company, France always acted in what he said were in NASCAR's best interests. His decisions often riled car owners, drivers, sponsors and fans, but France never backed down.
France became chairman in 1972 when he replaced his father, NASCAR founder William Henry Getty France, who retired 25 years after forming the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.
"When they announced he was going to take over NASCAR, I kind of started looking for another job, because I didn't think he could pull it off. I was wrong," said Junior Johnson, one of NASCAR's first stars. "He did a better job than his father did, and he succeeded in every aspect of it."
Besides Brian and daughter Lesa France Kennedy, France is survived by his wife, Betty Jane, and three grandchildren.
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