NASCAR CEO arrested for DWI, possession; taking indefinite leave

Following his arrest Sunday night, NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France will take an indefinite leave from the sport, he announced in a statement Monday.

France, 56, has been charged in Sag Harbor, N.Y., with aggravated driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

“I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night,” France’s statement read. “Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.”

France was arrested at 7:30 p.m. Sunday night, Sag Harbor police said in a press release. He was held overnight and arraigned at 9:30 a.m. Monday, where he was released on his own recognizance.

“Mr. France was observed operating a 2017 Lexus northbound on Main Street failing to stop at a duly posted stop sign,” the news release says. “Upon traffic stop, it was determined that Mr. France was operating said vehicle in an intoxicated condition. Upon search of his person due to a lawful arrest Mr. France was in possession of oxycodone pills.”

Under New York law, a charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated is applied when the person’s blood alcohol content is .18 or higher. The state’s legal limit while driving is .08. Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, with which France was charged, means the person “knowingly and unlawfully possesses a controlled substance” of more than a residual amount.