Junior missed goal Nov 26, 2008
He, Richard Petty, David Pearson and Bill France Sr. are slam dunks for the inaugural class. Earnhardt changed the sport, and he was one of the great figures in all of American sport. (News & Observer -- Sports)
'Driving Hard' details life of true pacesetter Sep 14, 2008
Bill France Sr., NASCAR's founder, promised Scott that as long as he held a NASCAR license he would be treated fairly, but that never happened. On the other hand, Scott had his defenders and supporters, drivers like Ned Jarrett, Richard Petty and Fireball Roberts. (NJ.com -- Times)
Diggin' at the Quarry: CORR back in Chula Vista this weekend Sep 11, 2008
The Grand-Am Series was founded by Jim France, son of the late Bill France Jr. and grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr.. Cars are the stars. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Still the Firecracker 400 to some Jul 4, 2008
" "Even with the the millions and millions (of title-sponsor dollars) that our friends in New York gave us, and our friends in Atlanta are giving us now, we still can't break free of Firecracker 400," Braig added. This year's NASCAR Fourth of July weekend race marks the 20-year anniversary of the removal of the name Firecracker from the event, but for untold legions of fans, it does not mark the demise of the Firecracker legend. The race was born in 1959, the year that Daytona International... (Athens Banner-Herald)
NASCAR's Next Generation Jun 29, 2008
"FAMILY CIRCLEThe France empire started from the most humble beginnings, when Bill France Sr., or "Big Bill," got interested in the sport as a teenager.France Sr. moved here in 1935 and competed in races on the Beach & Road Course. He won the race in 1938 but declined the trophy, since he promoted the event.Now it seems the family has gone full circle in racing, thanks to Ben's interest as a competitor.Last spring when Bill France Jr. was entering the last months of his life, he got to see his... (Daytona Beach News Journal)
NASCAR Nation Jun 22, 2008
"What Gappens took over in Loudon was a living demonstration of what happened when NASCAR's popularity exploded in the 1990s. When Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR in 1948, he planted his sport right in the middle of the booming car culture of postwar America. It was a sport as perfectly attuned to the America of its time as baseball had been to the turn of the century. For nearly five decades, NASCAR stayed largely a regional phenomenon, running at places like the old track in North Wilkesboro,... (Boston Globe)
Pocono under attack on eve of first Cup event Jun 8, 2008
Pocono under attack on eve of 1st of 2 Sprint Cup race dates - Racing - SI.com. Posted: Saturday June 7, 2008 1:59PM; Updated: Saturday June 7, 2008 1:59PM. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Pocono under assault Jun 8, 2008
"Further aggravating the drivers is that they'll be back here again in eight weeks. Although Pocono is one of 14 tracks with two Cup races, the proximity of its two summer dates has long been questioned.Even so, the Mattiolis remain determined to hold onto their track. They'd considered selling once, back in 1975 when NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. talked them out of it. The two families struck a strong bond that trickled down to former chairman Bill France Jr.Although current NASCAR chairman... (News & Observer -- Sports)
No price is right for Pocono Raceway Jun 4, 2008
" Pocono has a lot working in its favor. It's 90 minutes from Philadelphia and New York. There's also a strong bond between the Mattiolis and the family that owns and operates NASCAR and ISC. The first NASCAR race at Pocono was in 1974 and financially crippled the Mattiolis. With the help and support of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., the Mattiolis staved off bankruptcy three times. They added a second annual race in 1982. "I made a promise a long time ago that if I ever did sell, it would be to... (Florida Times-Union)
Noise & Sand Feb 17, 2008
"After that final race, the out-of-town fans using U.S. 92 would see the future as they drove west out of Daytona Beach. On the south side of the road, near the airport, they passed by a rough piece of property, where Bill France Sr. was in the early stages of building a giant new Speedway.Many of the locals, one last time, avoided the traffic on S.R. A1A and took the beach route home."It was like a free-for-all," McMichael said of the exit strategy. "I had a '50 Oldsmobile. I just cranked her... (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Wrecks, wrasslin’ & wins Feb 17, 2008
Racing moved from the sands of Daytona Beach to a new superspeedway built by NASCAR president Bill France Sr. On Feb. 22, 1959, the Daytona 500 was born, and the inaugural running would set the standard. Fifty-nine cars started, but late in the race only Lee Petty and Johnny Beauchamp were on the lead lap. (Scranton Times, PA)
Today marks the 50th running of the 500, a race that has seen a little bit of everything Feb 17, 2008
Legend has it that Bill France Sr., the founder of NASCAR, solved that problem by announcing that most of the people who had been bitten by snakes would survive. The racing fans here in Daytona are safe from the snakes now, inside a huge venue, and this afternoon, Daytona International Speedway stages its 50th Daytona 500 with two-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson on the pole. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
Daytona 500 expected to live up to Great American Race hype Feb 16, 2008
Thats what Bill France Sr. ... If you look at it, what makes Daytona Daytona is Junior Johnson, Fireball Roberts, Bill France Sr., Dale Earnhardt Sr., Richard Petty, said Kyle Petty, whose grandfather, Lee, won the inaugural 1959 Daytona 500. (Lake City Reporter, FL)
Editor's first Daytona 500 beyond words Feb 16, 2008
"When Bill France Sr. talked me into going to work for him, it changed my life," Foster said. In 1968, he began as an assistant to the NASCAR director of public relations and eventually became Speedway president through 1994, when he became vice president of special events for ISC. He served on boards of directors for 26 years for ISC, Watkins Glen International and South Carolina Speedway Corp.. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
NASCAR celebrates its roots with 50th running of Daytona 500 Feb 16, 2008
That's what Bill France Sr. wanted for NASCAR and his new track ---- a massive 2 1/2-mile, high-banked oval that dwarfed the other circuits yet underwhelmed drivers ... "If you look at it, what makes Daytona, Daytona is Junior Johnson, Fireball Roberts, Bill France Sr., Dale Earnhardt Sr., Richard Petty," said Kyle Petty, whose grandfather, Lee, won the inaugural 1959 Daytona 500. (North County Times)
The ghost of Harley Earl Feb 13, 2008
Earl was a friend and confidant to NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and a NASCAR commissioner in the organization's early days. "Daytona International Speedway is proud of the heritage and tradition of NASCAR's marquee event and that heritage and tradition includes the Harley J. Earl Trophy," said David Talley, speedway spokesperson. (The Palm Beach Post)
They Were There Feb 12, 2008
Those were the days when only a couple of grandstands stood beside the track, Kuleski said; when the biggest celebrities were Bill France Sr. and the local mayor -- J. Owen Eubank, in case you were wondering. Those were the days before the Daytona 500 was the "Super Bowl of stock racing," before Jon Bon Jovi or Kelly Clarkson provided the musical entertainment. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
50 years of Daytona: 50 things to know before Sunday's big 5-0 Feb 12, 2008
1 Bill France Sr.'s inspiration for his Daytona International Speedway was the 2 ... It's a tribute to Sam Lloyd, the man who gave Bill France Sr. his first job in Daytona Beach ... 50 Bronze, life-size statues of NASCAR and DIS founder Bill France Sr. and his wife, Anne B. France, greet visitors on the grounds of the Daytona USA interactive fan attraction. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Promoter put some life into early races Feb 10, 2008
Ed Otto was one of the men summoned by Bill France Sr. to the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach in December 1947 to create the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. The elder Otto worked with France until 1963. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Test drive turns tragic before inaugural Daytona 500 Feb 9, 2008
Hilly Rife of Ormond Beach, a former racetrack owner from Pennsylvania and longtime friend of Daytona International Speedway founder Bill France Sr., said, although today's racers cross circuits all the time, it was taboo in Teague's day. "But he could outdo them all," Rife said of Teague. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Hall of Fame more than just NASCAR Dec 30, 2007
One of the first things Bill France Sr. mentioned to me was, I would love to build a motorsports hall of fame that would preserve the history of motorsports and honor the people that made it grow, Naman said. He had it in his mind in 1970. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
New study explores economic impact of Daytona International Speedway Dec 18, 2007
Daytona Beach traces back its racing roots to the beach races during the early 20th century, but firmly established its racing mecca at the speedway, built by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. The Daytona 500, considered the most prestigious race in the NASCAR circuit, had its first run in 1959. In the nearly 50 years since that first race, the auto racing hub has grown and expanded. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Big money for Johnson Dec 1, 2007
Another special moment came when the Bill France Award Of Excellence, named after Bill Jr.s father, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., was given to longtime broadcaster Barney Hall. Johnson will collect the winners share of the huge season and points fund payout. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Tributes start awards night Dec 1, 2007
"Another special moment came when the Bill France Award Of Excellence, named after Bill Jr.'s father, NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., was given to longtime broadcaster Barney Hall.The night capped a spectacular season for Johnson, who doubled his wins in his second championship season, jumping from five in 2006 to 10 this year. He had another 24 top-10 finishes but raised his top-fives from 13 to 20.And what NASCAR fan could forget Johnson's four straight victories during the 10-race Chase for... (News & Observer -- Sports)
Auto Racing | Danger looms at Talladega Oct 7, 2007
He went out and found the land so Bill France Sr., the founder of NASCAR, could build Talladega Superspeedway in 1969, but he had no idea it would fuel so much fascination. "It's a monster," the 77-year-old Ward, a former driver, said Friday. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Nextel Cup to become Sprint Cup in 2008 Jul 10, 2007
Daytona Beach-based Nascar was founded in 1948 by Bill France Sr. and includes three national series -- Nascar Nextel Cup Series, Nascar Series and Nascar Truck Series -- and eight regional tours. The company sanctions 1,500 races at more than 100 tracks in 35 states. (Orlando Business Journal)
NASCAR loses architect of modern era Jul 4, 2007
I knew Bill Jr. even before he took over from his father, Bill France Sr., in 1972 as chairman of NASCAR.. Prior to his dad's retirement, Bill Jr. did a little bit of everything at the race track. (Bainbridge Post Searchlight, GA)
Gordon wins rain-shortened Pocono 500 Jun 12, 2007
"You know, we wouldn't be here with these sponsors all over the cars and the fans in the stands and be this excited about pit strategy wins if this sport wasn't as popular as it is. And that would never be possible without Bill France Jr., without Bill France Sr. and the France family.". Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin took fifth and sixth. (News & Observer -- Sports)
Risky call in rain pays off for Gordon at Pocono Jun 11, 2007
And that would never be possible without Bill France Jr., without Bill France Sr. and the France family. . (MSNBC -- Sports)
Gordon’s risky call pays off Jun 11, 2007
And that would never be possible without Bill France Jr., without Bill France Sr. and the France family. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin took fifth and sixth. (Columbia Daily Herald, TN)
Column: Remembering William France Jun 9, 2007
Do you watch the presidential primary debates. Friday, June 8, 2007 8:40 PM EDT. (Niles Star, MI)
NASCAR owes success to France Jun 9, 2007
The Clanton Advertiser: News. Send your commentary to the Clanton Advertiser. (Clanton Advertiser, AL)
The work of the France family is far from over for NASCAR's current leaders. Jun 7, 2007
Amazingly enough, Bill Jr. comfortably filled the shoes of his father, Bill France Sr., himself a legend for founding NASCAR and ushering in the era of the modern race tracks by building the Daytona International Speedway. A third generation of NASCAR officials, Mike Helton and Brian France, are now squarely in charge. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
Racing with Rich : France's legacy looms large Jun 7, 2007
In 1948 Bill France Sr. started the National Association for Stock Car Automobile Racing for the purpose of providing structure to the previously unregulated sport of stock car racing ... At that point the contribution Bill France Sr. had made to auto racing was significant, but it would be Bill France Jr. who would build the sport into what it is today. (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Bill France Jr. expanded the regional sport his father founded in 1948 into the multi-billion-dollar enterprise it is today. Jun 6, 2007
When Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR in 1948, he had a dream of turning a grassroots movement of stock car racing into a unified sport worth watching. By '72, he had done just that, having brought the sport from its early rough-and-tumble infancy into a regional curiosity that was gaining steam. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Racing)
NASCAR loses a giant of industry Jun 6, 2007
Bill France Sr. put Bill Jr. in charge of crowd control at one of the early 1950s beach races at Daytona Beach. It was a difficult situation -- there seemed to be no way to fence in the beach area and keep people from walking in without buying tickets. (Albany Times Union)
Bill France Jr. Jun 6, 2007
Mr. France, who led NASCAR for three decades after succeeding founder and father, Bill France Sr., died Monday at 74. Throughout his life, Bill Jr. stayed anchored in the community where he grew up and lived. (Orlando Sentinel -- Opinion)
Nascar visionary Bill France dies Jun 5, 2007
Members: Not Registered. for free extra services. (Orlando Business Journal)
NASCAR shifts gears to attract fans Apr 19, 2007
" NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. once said it was eyeballs in the households, not a mere rating number, that he deemed important, and the sport has worked to attract those eyeballs through a variety of products in addition to the races. "That's precisely the point: eyeballs," Glover said. "One reason we continue to be very excited is through the overall consumption of more programming during the week, on the Speed Channel, ESPN, ABC, broadband, the Internet. All of that consumption of NASCAR... (AZCentral)
NASCAR's Bill France in Daytona hospital Mar 16, 2007
free sports contests you can play every week to earn raffle tickets and bid for prizes. Where you can choose winners in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, either , or. (Orlando Sentinel -- Sports)
IT'S ALL ABOUT WINNING >> NASCAR'S NEW POINTS SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE DRIVERS TO CHASE THE CHECKERED FLAG Feb 15, 2007
The grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. is 44 years old, easily old enough to remember the days when a driver gladly would've knocked his grandmother into the wall if it meant beating her to the checkered flag. NASCAR lost much of that edge during its evolution into a mainstream sport. (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star, VA)
Ben WhiteGilliland, Rudd and Marlin are all smiling now Feb 14, 2007
Gilliland, Rudd and Marlin are all smiling now - The Lexington Dispatch. "That's a huge relief for this team and a lot of weight taken off our shoulders. Slugger Labbe, my crew chief, and all the guys on the team worked their tails off in the offseason to bring a car back here that we could be confident would make the show, and that's exactly what they did.". (Foster's Daily Democrat)
Ganassi Cars Out Front at Daytona Race Jan 28, 2007
Four laps down were a Pontiac Riley co-driven by NASCAR's Jeff Gordon, former Daytona winners Wayne Taylor and Max Angelelli and longtime road racer Jan Magnussen, followed by a Porsche Riley shared by five-time Daytona winner Hurley Haywood, J.C. France, grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., Joao Barbosa and Roberto Moreno. Three other cars remained within six laps of the lead at halfway, with Chris Festa sixth in a Pontiac Riley, Burt Frisselle seventh in a Lexus Riley and Fabrizio... (Helena Independent Record)
