NASCAR chairman arrested for DUI
SAG HARBOR, N.Y. — NASCARchairman and CEO Brian France announced Monday he was taking an indefinite leave of absence a day after his arrest in New
York’s Hamptons on charges of driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of oxycodone. France had a blood-alcohol content that was more than twice the legal limit, smelled of booze and slurred his words after he was seen blowing through a stop sign Sunday in Sag Harbor, police said. “I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions [Sunday] night,” France said Monday in a statement. “Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.”
France has been NASCAR’s chairman and CEO since 2003. His uncle, Jim France, a vice chairman and executive vice president, will take over those roles on aninterim basis. France, 56, was arraigned at Sag Harbor Village Justice Court after spending the night in jail. He was released on his own recognizance and isdue back in court Sept 14. Hislawyer referred reporters to a NASCAR statement on the matter. The organization said it takes France’s arrest “as a serious matter and will issue a statement after wehave all of the facts.” France, 56, was pulled over and arrested at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday after police said they saw his 2017 Lexus roll through a stop sign near the SagHarbor waterfront.
His eyes were red and glassy and he struggled to keep his balance during field sobriety tests, police said. Tests showed France’s bloodalcohol content was 0.18, police said. The legal limit in NewYork is 0.08.
Officers found five oxycodone pills in a subsequent search, police said.
TMZ first reported the arrest.
France is a third-generation leader of NASCAR. His late grandfather, Bill France Sr., founded the company in 1948.
He has introduced a playoff system, overhauled the design of its cars, and pushed for diversity within the circuit’s predominantly white, male ranks. In recent years, he has been dealing with plunging attendance and TV ratings and departing sponsors, attributing the down turn to the challenge of connecting with a new, younger generationof fans.