The grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France and son of Bill France Jr., France spent two decades in the sport before becoming chairman in 2003. He has experience as a race track manager, where he helped write and enforce rules. He oversaw the transformation of a track in Tuscon from dirt into a top paved short track on the NASCAR Whelen All-American series.
He was a key proponent of the NASCAR Research and Development Center, a facility opened in 2003 dedicated to improving safety and operational efficiency.
He was involved in the 2000 formation of NASCAR.com, in which NASCAR joined forces with Turner Sports.
Sports Business Daily Sports Industrialist of the Year, 1999
Sales and Marketing Executives Intermational Marketing Statesman of the Year, 1999
Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, 2006
Founder and Chairman of NASCAR’s Diversity Council
France has advanced NASCAR in terms of marketing, sponsorships, and media coverage. In 2004, he was at the forefront of the Nextel Communications sponsorship of the top NASCAR circuit, now called the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
He has internalized NASCAR’s licensing efforts and developed consolidated television plans for the sport, culminating with coverage of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series on ABC, ESPN, Fox Sports, FX, NBC Sports, and TNT.
Under France’s guidance, NASCAR has opened offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Charlotte to address growing business needs.