Jim France takes wheel for NASCAR

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Jim France seems to be choosing to stay in the shadows, declining to let the public hear from him as the interim chairman and CEO of NASCAR.

France is not expected to be available for interviews as NASCR prepares to run its first race, at Michigan International Speedway, since chairman Brian France took an indefinite leave from the company his family owns.

Brian France was arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of oxycodone Sunday night in New York’s Hamptons. His uncle, Jim, was picked the next day to take over on an interim basis. He was vice chairman and executive vice president of NASCAR.

It is not the news, or the moves, the series wanted as it struggles to cope with dropping attendance, TV ratings and major sponsorship deals.

And, it might be a long wait if anyone is hoping Jim France, who even behind the scenes is quiet, will become the face and voice of the sport.

“I just hope that whoever is in that position takes it serious and does a good job with it because there are so many people in this industry that want to see it succeed,” Kyle Larson, who drives the No. 42 Chevrolet, said. “I hope this is a good step to have a good change for us and get some good momentum back for our series.”

Brian France is the grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and replaced his father, Bill France Jr., as head of NASCAR 15 years ago.

Now, it’s Jim France’s turn to take the wheel.

And, the relatively few people who know the Vietnam veteran well are expressing full confidence in his ability to lead during a potentially pivotal time for the series.

Jim France has worked for the family business since 1959, serving in a slew of roles. He founded Grand-AM in 1999 and help to orchestrate a merger with American Le Mans Series to form IMSA in 2014. He also was a key player in NASCAR’s purchase of ARCA.

“We’ve known Jim France since the 1970s and he’s given respect when he walks in a room,” Len Wood, co-owner of the No. 21 Ford, said. “He’s earned respect. He’s always been the quiet guy in the background that did way more than you knew. He’s the kind of jeans-and-flannel guy, who you can bounce ideas off of anytime.

“We have the utmost confidence in him.”

Rick Hendrick does, too.

“He’s going to be awesome in that role,” the team owner said an interview on Sirius. “I’ve watched what he’s done with IMSA and how he’s brought all these different manufactures to the table and how that sport has grown with the 24 hour and everything else.

“A lot of people don’t know Jim because he never has been out front a lot, but there is a great leader and a great racer and NASCAR is in awesome hands.”

Hendrick, meanwhile, is hoping Brian France gets the help he needs to come back.

“Brian France is a good friend, a great guy,” Hendrick said. “I’m not sure we have a TV deal if it wasn’t for him. I pray for him and I want him to get better.”

Hamlin wins Michigan pole

BROOKLYN, Mich. — Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch swept the front row in qualifying at Michigan International Speedway. Kevin Harvick, neck-and-neck with Busch all season, was right behind in third.

Hamlin went 202.794 mph in Friday’s session to win a pole for the second consecutive week. The JGR veteran is winless this season while teammate Busch has six victories.

Busch made it an all-Toyota front row for Sunday’s race with a lap at 202.731 mph. Harvick, in a Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing, went 202.100. Harvick and Busch are tied for most Cup Series victories, while Martin Truex Jr., the final member of the so-called “Big 3,” has four wins this year. He qualified his Toyota for Furniture Row Racing seventh.