After his arrest for a DUI and possession of a controlled substance on Sunday evening (Aug. 5), NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France has announced that he will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from his position.
In a statement from France, he says: “I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night. Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.”
NASCAR has also released a statement: “Brian France has taken an indefinite leave of absence from NASCAR as chairman and chief executive officer. Effective immediately, NASCAR Vice Chairman and Executive VP Jim France has assumed the role of interim chairman and chief executive officer.”
Jim France is the son of Bill France Sr., the founder of NASCAR in 1948, and the brother of Bill France Jr., president of NASCAR from 1972 until 2000. He was elected to the ISC board in 1970 and has served as the company’s secretary, assistant treasurer, vice president, chief operating officer, executive vice president, and president. He most recently is responsible for the merger between the GRAND-AM Series and the American Le Mans Series which took place in 2014, and now has served as NASCAR Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President.
No further statements have been released at this time.
Brandon is a 22-year-old from NY and has been a passionate follower of motorsports for 14 years now. He recently graduated from Molloy College on Long Island with a BA in Communications. Working within NASCAR has been a dream for Brandon for a while, and he hopes to be able to live out the dream in the very near future.