For three decades, Bill France Jr. watched over
the sport started in 1948 by his father. From 1972 until 2003, Bill France
Jr. watched as NASCAR saw an amazing explosion in growth. His vision of what
the sport would become had been done. Monday afternoon, he passed away.
The NASCAR community is remembering Bill France
Jr. for the man he was and the accomplishments he had in making NASCAR what it
is today.
In 1948, William H.G. France presided over a
meeting at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is there, at
that meeting, when NASCAR was born. His son, Bill France Jr. was also very
involved in those early days of the sport. He did everything from selling
concessions, to parking cars, to even being the flagman at the races. In
1972, Bill France Jr, was handed the reigns to the sport.
When Bill France Jr. was handed control of NASCAR
in 1972, the sport was still very deep in its southern roots. During his
reign over the sport, NASCAR's popularity expanded all over the country.
France knew what he wanted to do. Many of the decisions that he made was done
in making his vision come true. Not everyone, however, was on board. France
did anger some within the sport, including drivers and fans, with decisions he
made. However, France rarely backed down. If he felt something he did was in
the best interest of NASCAR, it would be done. It was very clear who was in
charge. More times than not, the decisions he made was another step in the
growth of NASCAR.
Before 1979, any NASCAR race televised was on a
tape-delay basis. Even the Daytona 500 was recorded before being shown to the
national audience. Bill France Jr. then negotiated with CBS to broadcast the
Daytona 500 live. The network agreed, so the 1979 Daytona 500 was the first
NASCAR race shown live, flag-to-flag. NASCAR and CBS struck gold. It was a
thrilling finish with Richard Petty edging out Darrell Waltrip. But, it will
be most known for the fight right afterward with Cale Yarborough fighting
Bobby and Donnie Allison. in 1999, France negotiated the $2.4 billon TV
contract with Fox, NBC, and TNT. To gain more advertising dollars and
exposure for NASCAR, the annual awards banquet was moved to New York City.
Many point to NASCAR's growth to the way the sport was marketed across the
country. Most of that credit went to France. NASCAR has become the second
most popular sport in the nation, behind only the NFL.
Starting in the late '90's, Bill France Jr.
started having health problems. He suffered a mild heart attack in 1997 and
was diagnosed with cancer in 1999. In 2003, he turned his role as NASCAR
Chairman to his son, Brian. His role as president of the sport was passed
over to Mike Helton. France's younger brother, Jim, is NASCAR's executive
vice president and vice chairman of International Speedway Corporation. His
final public appearance was at a "Roast and Toast" even in his honor on
February 12th.
Bill France Jr. died at his home in Daytona Beach,
Florida on Monday. He is survived by his wife Betty Jane, son Brian, daughter
Lesa France Kennedy (who runs ISC), and three grandchildren. His passing was
first announced during Fox's telecast of the rain-delayed Autism Speaks 400 at
Dover, Delaware. By CrimsonCowboy