MOTOR RACING

NASCAR competitors show empathy for France; ready to move forward

Godwin Kelly
godwin.kelly@news-jrnl.com
NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France talks to reporters during a news conference in 2016. [AP/ALAN DIAZ]

The reaction to the DUI arrest of NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France this week drew mostly empathy for the racing executive, plus a strong show of support for his interim replacement.

The 56-year-old France was stopped by a Sag Harbor, New York, police officer for running a stop sign early Sunday night.

He was arrested and then charged with three misdemeanors, including driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance (five Oxycodone pills).

France’s alcohol-blood level registered at .18 or more than twice the legal limit, according to New York State law.

READ MORE: Brian France is a different kind of leader for NASCAR

France announced Monday he was stepping away from his dual roles as NASCAR’s top manager. He was replaced by his uncle, Jim France, 73, who is the younger son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr.

While there has not been a wave of reaction from stock-car competitors, some of racing’s top names have weighed in on the situation, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., who co-owns an Xfinity Series team and is part of NBC’s racing broadcast team.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing news — no way around that,” Earnhardt said on his podcast. “It’s very disappointing, and I’m sure that Brian is disappointed in himself.

“The one thing that I hope is that Brian gets in front of the people that he needs to get in front of and gets the assistance and help that he needs to make sure that this is something that doesn’t happen again. Regardless of his role in NASCAR going forward, it’s important that he’s healthy and that he takes care of himself. So I’m wishing that on him.”

Bruton Smith, chairman of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., which owns eight race tracks which host major NASCAR events, issued a statement after getting the news of France’s arrest.

“At this point in time, NASCAR needs friends and people that will help,” Smith said. “I like Brian OK and it's a rotten shame he did this, but people sometimes do things that they shouldn't do. That being said, it's a great sport and we go forward and we all should be very protective of it and be willing to lend a helping hand.”

Denny Hamlin was asked about the incident while making a visit to the Washington Redskins training camp earlier this week.

“It’s unfortunate, obviously, and he’s got some personal issues he’s going to attend to,” Hamlin said. “But I’m confident in the leadership of NASCAR, and I know all the executives really, really well and get invited into some very intense meetings with them at times, and I'm very confident those guys can take the reins and do a great job.”

There were a few exceptions to the rule, such as part-time NASCAR driver Justin Marks, who sent out a tweet Monday that read, “It’s time for someone to step up to the plate. It’s time for change.”

Now the focus has shifted to Jim France, who has taken the reins of the sanctioning body, which is privately owned by the France family.

Car owner Joe Gibbs told ESPN earlier this week that he is giving Jim France his full support.

“I met with Jim France himself recently,” Gibbs said. “He's up-to-date with everything, been part of all the big decisions, so I think we're fortunate to have him step in.

“For us here, we're going to pray for Brian as he goes through these personal issues and hopefully he can get this taken care of.”

Few people know that Jim France liked to race when he was younger. In 1992, he captured the Legends Cars National Tour championship.

On his SiriusXM radio show, NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick embraced the interim leader.

“It’s good to have a racer,” Harvick said. “It’s not like he’s hands-off. He knows the ins and outs of what’s going on to this very minute in this sport, has been around this sport a long time, and that’s what you need, that racing perspective of just making sure we stick with the roots of what made NASCAR racing what it is. And he’s been around and knows how that went.

“From the drivers’ perspective, it’s really important, whoever’s in that position to become more connected.”

Earnhardt said it should be business as usual when NASCAR teams convene at Michigan International Speedway on Friday.

“I’m very confident the people that NASCAR has in the industry — I know all of them very, very well,” he said. “I feel incredibly optimistic about being able to move forward and beyond (France’s arrest).”