Brian France

Last updated
Brian France
Brian France Homestead 2016.jpg
CEO and chairman of NASCAR
In office
September 2003 –August 5, 2018

Brian France implemented a wide variety of policies and mandates that tended to focus heavily on driver safety (largely in response to the death of Dale Earnhardt) and equal opportunity for virtually all drivers to contend. Some of the rules implemented included mandation of the HANS device for all drivers, installation of SAFER barriers around the outside walls of each track (eventually, the inside walls of each track as well), as well as the 'yellow line rule' at superspeedways (which states that no driver may advance their position if they noticeably place at least their left side tires below the inside yellow line surrounding the track), and the 'overtime line' rule, which was a designated area of the track where if a caution were to be thrown at any time within the closing two laps and the leader had passed through the area, but had not yet crossed the official start/finish line, the race would end and a winner would be declared (this was removed after the 2017 NASCAR season). Many fans, especially those of a somewhat older age who had gotten used to Bill France Jr.'s style of management, were not in favor of these rule changes; this caused NASCAR's ratings to drop significantly throughout the early to mid-2010s.

Litigation

In March 2020 Brian France sued John L. Steele, an internet user behind the parody Twitter account "Drunken Brian France" (@DrunkBrianF), for "infliction of emotional distress" and invasion of privacy. [24] [25] In April 2020 the lawsuit was withdrawn after Steele agreed to delete the account. [26] The lawsuit has been cited as an example of an SLAPP lawsuit. [27]

Related Research Articles

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. It is considered to be one of the top ranked motorsports organizations in the world and is one of the largest spectator sports in America. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and his son, Jim France, has been the CEO since August 2018. The company is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Each year, NASCAR sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 48 US states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talladega Superspeedway</span> Motorsport track in the United States

Talladega Superspeedway, nicknamed "Dega", and formerly named Alabama International Motor Speedway (AIMS) from 1969 to 1989, is a motorsports complex located in Lincoln, Alabama, north of Talladega, Alabama. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base. A tri-oval, the track was constructed in 1969 by the International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family. As of 2023, the track hosts the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Talladega is the longest NASCAR oval, with a length of 2.660 mi (4.281 km), compared to the Daytona International Speedway, which is 2.500 mi (4.023 km) long. The total peak capacity of Talladega is around 175,000 spectators, with the main grandstand capacity being about 80,000. As of 2023, Talladega is one of NASCAR's three drafting tracks, alongside Daytona International Speedway and Atlanta Motor Speedway.

International Speedway Corporation (ISC) was a corporation whose primary business was the ownership and management of motorsports race tracks. ISC was founded by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. in 1953 for the construction of Daytona International Speedway and in 1999 it merged with Penske Motorsports to become one of the largest motorsports companies in North America. The company played an important, though controversial, role in the modernization of the sport. It worked with NASCAR to create new tracks and update older ones in an effort to improve the racing and the experience for spectators and has constructed popular new tracks in regions previously thought uninterested in NASCAR. Because both companies have several members of the France family in top positions, ISC's competitors have filed multiple lawsuits on antitrust grounds

William Henry Getty France was an American businessman and racing driver. He was also known as Bill France Sr. or Big Bill. He is best known for founding and managing NASCAR, a sanctioning body of US-based stock car racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YellaWood 500</span> Auto race held at Talladega, United States

The YellaWood 500 is a NASCAR Cup Series stock car race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, hosting an event in the NASCAR playoffs. The race is one of four NASCAR Cup Series races currently run with tapered spacers, the others being the GEICO 500 in May, the Coke Zero Sugar 400, and the Daytona 500. Through 1996, this race was normally held in early August or late July. In 1997, it was moved to early October due to the uncomfortably hot summer temperatures, and sometimes unpredictable summertime thunderstorms in the Alabama area. In 2009, the race moved again, this time to November 1 as part of a realignment agreement with Atlanta and Fontana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ARCA Menards Series</span> American stock car racing series

The ARCA Menards Series is an American stock car series, the premier division of the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). It is considered a minor, semi-professional league of stock car racing, used as a feeder series into the three national touring series of NASCAR, and hosts events at a variety of track types including superspeedways, road courses, and dirt tracks. It also provides hobby drivers a chance to experience racing at large tracks used in the three national touring series in NASCAR. The series has had a longstanding relationship with NASCAR, including using former NASCAR Cup Series cars, hosting events in the same race weekend such as Daytona Speedweeks, and naming an award after NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. However, the series was not officially affiliated with NASCAR until its buyout on April 27, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Car of Tomorrow</span> Generation of NASCAR stock cars

The Car of Tomorrow was the common name used for the chassis of the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series race cars. The car was part of a five-year project to create a safer vehicle following several deaths in competition, particularly the crash at the 2001 Daytona 500 that killed Dale Earnhardt.

The NASCAR playoffs, formerly officially known as the Chase for the Nextel/Sprint Cup, is a championship playoff system used in NASCAR's three national series. The system was founded as 'The Chase for the Championship' on January 21, 2004, and was used exclusively in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2004 to 2015. Since 2016, NASCAR has also used the playoff system in the Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim France</span> American auto racing businessman

James Carl France is an American motorsports executive. He is the chief executive officer (CEO), the chairman, and executive vice president of NASCAR, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and the owner of the IMSA team Action Express Racing. Jim is the son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr.

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the NASCAR Cup Series, the Xfinity Series and the Craftsman Truck Series. NASCAR also administers a number of regional racing series, including the Whelen Modified Tour, and the Whelen All-American Series, as well as international series in Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1971 Winston 500</span> Auto race held at Talladega Superspeedway in 1971

The 1971 Winston 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place on May 16, 1971, at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NASCAR Cup Series</span> Top tier auto racing division within NASCAR

The NASCAR Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, and from 1950 to 1970 it was known as the Grand National Division. In 1971, when the series began leasing its naming rights to the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, it was referred to as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series (1971–2003). A similar deal was made with Nextel in 2003, and it became the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series (2004–2007). Sprint acquired Nextel in 2005, and in 2008 the series was renamed the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (2008–2016). In December 2016, it was announced that Monster Energy would become the new title sponsor, and the series was renamed the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (2017–2019). In 2019, NASCAR rejected Monster's offer to extend the naming rights deal beyond the end of the season. NASCAR subsequently announced its move to a new tiered sponsorship model beginning with the 2020 season similar to other U.S. based professional sports leagues, where it was simply known as the NASCAR Cup Series, with the sponsors of the series being called Premier Partners. The four Premier Partners are Busch Beer, Coca-Cola, GEICO, and Xfinity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Daytona 500</span> 62nd Running of the event, held in Daytona Beach, Florida

The 2020 Daytona 500, the 62nd running of the event, was a NASCAR Cup Series race held on February 16–17, 2020. It was contested over 209 laps—extended from 200 laps due to an overtime finish, on the 2.5-mile (4.0 km) asphalt superspeedway. It was the first race of the 2020 NASCAR Cup Series season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Production Alliance Group 300</span> NASCAR Xfinity Series race

The 2020 Production Alliance Group 300 was a NASCAR Xfinity Series race held on February 29, 2020 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California. Contested over 150 laps on the 2-mile (3.2 km) asphalt superspeedway, it was the third race of the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season. Rookie driver Harrison Burton won his first ever race in the NASCAR Xfinity series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Unhinged 300</span> NASCAR Xfinity Series race

The 2020 Unhinged 300 was a NASCAR Xfinity Series race held on June 20, 2020 at Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama. Contested over 113 laps on the 2.66-mile (4.28 km) superspeedway, it was the 11th race of the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series season and the season's third Dash 4 Cash race. Kaulig Racing's Justin Haley picked up his first career Xfinity Series victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ally 400</span> NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway

The Ally 400 is a NASCAR Cup Series race at Nashville Superspeedway in Gladeville, Tennessee. The first race took place in 2021, the first Cup event in the Nashville area since 1984.

Christopher Monroe Hacker is an American professional stock car racing driver who last competed part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 30 Toyota Tundra for On Point Motorsports and the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado for Young's Motorsports as well as part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 38 Ford Mustang for RSS Racing and the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro for Emerling-Gase Motorsports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Aaron's 499</span> Motor car race

The 2004 Aaron's 499 was the ninth stock car race of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season and the 35th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, April 25, 2004, before a crowd of 155,000 in Lincoln, Alabama at Talladega Superspeedway, a 2.66 miles (4.28 km) permanent triangle-shaped superspeedway. The race took the scheduled 188 laps to complete. In a controversial end to the race, Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports would win the race under caution over fan favorite Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc., after Brian Vickers caused a caution with 5 to go. The win was Gordon’s 65th career NASCAR Nextel Cup Series win and his first of the season. To fill out the podium, Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing would finish third, after a review of the results of the last scoring loop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 PowerShares QQQ 300</span> First race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series

The 2017 PowerShares QQQ 300 was the 1st race of the 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series season and the 36th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, February 25, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida at Daytona International Speedway, a 2.5 miles permanent triangular-shaped superspeedway. The race was extended from the scheduled 120 laps to 124 laps due to NASCAR overtime. Roush Fenway Racing driver Ryan Reed took the lead on the final overtime restart and led the final two laps to earn the victory. It was Reed's first win of the season, and the second of his career. To fill out the podium, Kasey Kahne finished 2nd and Austin Dillon finished 3rd.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Ally 400</span> NASCAR Cup Series race

The 2022 Ally 400 was a NASCAR Cup Series race held on June 26, 2022, at Nashville Superspeedway in Lebanon, Tennessee. Contested over 300 laps on the 1+1⁄3-mile (2.146 km) superspeedway, it was the 17th race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.

References

  1. ↑ Mark Spoor, Turner Sports Interactive (2003-09-13). "Brian France named NASCAR chairman, CEO - September 13, 2003". NASCAR.com. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  2. ↑ "Brian France Re-Emerging As Head Of Silver Falcon Capital". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  3. 1 2 Jim Francis (2007). The History of NASCAR. Crabtree Publishing Company. p. 27. ISBN   9780778731863 . Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  4. 1 2 Paul Biedryzycki (2015) [Spring: March 2015]. "Giving no breaks". DuJour Magazine . p. 116.
  5. ↑ Kevin Conley (2003-08-18). "NASCAR's new track". The New Yorker.
  6. ↑ Rick Horrow, Karla Swatek (2010). Beyond the Box Score. Morgan James Publishing. ISBN   9781600377853.
  7. 1 2 3 Rick Horrow, Karla Swatek (2010). Beyond the Box Score: An Insider's Guide to the $750 Billion Business of Sports. Wordclay. p. 191. ISBN   9781600376436.
  8. ↑ Clarke, 252-253.
  9. 1 2 3 Thomas Durso (Spring 2008). "Taking Stock of NASCAR" (PDF). Family Business: 50–53. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-22.
  10. ↑ "ESPN.com - Auto Racing - Helton named new NASCAR president". www.espn.com. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  11. ↑ "NASCAR 2004". Popular Mechanics . Hearst Communications. March 2004. p. 84. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  12. ↑ Nate Ryan (November 14, 2013). "In 10 years, Brian France has revamped NASCAR". USA Today. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  13. ↑ Clarke, 230-233.
  14. ↑ Jim Peltz (July 19, 2014). "Brian France is trying to keep NASCAR relevant". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  15. ↑ Waltrip, Darrell (2006-05-08). "The 2006 Time 100". Time . ISSN   0040-781X . Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  16. ↑ Gluck, Jeff. "NASCAR CEO Brian France, some drivers endorse Donald Trump for president". USA Today. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  17. ↑ "NASCAR CEO Brian France arrested for DWI and drug possession". sports.yahoo.com. 6 August 2018. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  18. ↑ "NASCAR CEO charged with DWI, drug possession". ESPN.com. 2018-08-06. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  19. ↑ Perez, A. J. "Former NASCAR chief Brian France pleads guilty to DWI as part of deal with prosecutors". USA Today. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  20. ↑ Perez, A. J. "NASCAR enters new era with transition from Brian France to new CEO Jim France". USA Today. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  21. ↑ "Brian France Re-Emerging As Head Of Silver Falcon Capital". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  22. ↑ Jack Gage (2009-02-09). "NASCAR's trouble at the track". Forbes.
  23. ↑ "Amy and Brian France Foundation Invests in The Queen City". SHARE Charlotte. 2019-11-27. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
  24. ↑ "Brian France: Former NASCAR CEO opens lawsuit against 'Drunken' parody account". Racing News. 2020-03-14. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  25. ↑ "FTW Explains: Ex-NASCAR CEO Brian France's lawsuit over a parody Twitter account". For The Win. 2020-03-06. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  26. ↑ "Brian France files suit against parody Twitter account: Update lawsuit withdrawn". Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site. 2020-04-25. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  27. ↑ Masnick, Mike (2020-04-21). "Disgraced Former NASCAR Boss, Brian France, Uses SLAPP Suit To Silence Parody Twitter Account". Techdirt. Retrieved 2021-04-17.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.