France’s arrest another setback for NASCAR

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR needed 99 races for Chase Elliott to pick up his first Cup victory and didn’t get even a full day to celebrate the accomplishment.

NASCAR Chairman Brian France has taken a leave from his family-owned company following his arrest Sunday night on charges of driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of oxycodone. France blew through a stop sign in Sag Harbor, N.Y., police said, not long after Elliott crossed the finish line some 350 miles away in Watkins Glen.

Police said at the time he was pulled over France struggled to keep his balance during field-sobriety tests, his eyes were red and glassy, and tests showed his blood-alcohol content was nearly twice New York’s legal limit. Officers found five oxycodone pills during a subsequent search, police said.

The head of the most popular racing series in the U.S. spent the night in jail — a punch to the gut for a series reeling from slumping attendance and television ratings, and a decline in blockbuster sponsorship deals. France shifted the attention away from Elliott’s victory, which signified a passing of the torch and a rare feel-good moment for NASCAR lately.

Jim France, uncle to Brian France, has assumed the interim titles of chairman and CEO and is assisted by Lesa France Kennedy, Brian’s sister.

A day after the shakeup, few seemed concerned about the direction of NASCAR with Brian France sidelined.

“Lesa and Jim are going to do a great job,” Denny Hamlin said Tuesday. “I’m confident in the leadership of NASCAR. I know all of the executives really, really well. I get invited into some very intense meetings with them at times, and am very confident that those guys can take the reins and do a great job.”

Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy have long been in the mix of both NASCAR and International Speedway Corp., but the role of face of the family fell to Brian. He’s the grandson of founder Bill France Sr. and replaced his father, Bill France Jr., as head of NASCAR in 2003.

Brian France took charge during a time the sport was booming in popularity and sponsors were beating down the door to get their logos on a race car. Although many of Brian France’s initiatives were progressive and needed in some form, staunch fans vehemently have rejected his vision.

Brian France introduced a playoff system, overhauled the design of the series’ cars and pushed for diversity within the circuit’s predominantly white, male ranks.

But as viewership has declined, sponsors have pulled out of NASCAR and Brian France has not made himself available to the public. He appeared increasingly detached from NASCAR over the past several seasons and was rarely seen at a race. Aside from an occasional random call to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Brian France has said almost nothing about NASCAR’s woes this season.