Bill France Jr.(pictured right with the late Bobby Hamilton), who transformed NASCAR from a small Southern sport into a billion-dollar conglomerate during his 31 years as chairman, died Monday. He was 74.
He died at his Daytona Beach, Fla., home, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said.
France had been in poor health for much of the last decade — he was diagnosed with cancer in 1999. Although he was in remission, the extensive treatments took a toll. He never regained his full strength, often had difficulty breathing and had taken to using a motorized scooter to get around.
France was hospitalized at least twice this year but spent his final days resting at home. His last public appearance was Feb. 12 in Daytona Beach, where NASCAR’s top names gathered to “Roast and Toast” him at the Bill France Hot Dog Dinner during the Daytona 500 build-up.
- President Bush comments on the passing of Bill France, Jr
- Bill France, Jr released from hospital
- SPEED to air France Memorial Service Program
- NASCAR to honor Bill France, Jr starting at Pocono
- Bill France Jr. named Myers Brothers Award winner
my thoughts and prayers go out to the Bill France Jr. family.
how sad.
Sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. France. He truly helped build NASCAR.
my thoughts and prayers go out to the the family
Bill France Jr was a good man, the man who made Nascar the exciting
sport it was until Brian France over, and one of the last true links
left to the days of real stock car auto racing. He’ll be truly
missed.
Y’know, Fox really has a lotta nerve to do that. That flat-out
pisses me off.
I just got done watching the broadcast of the race. DW is trying not
to cry, as are all three commentators;; that’s a pretty d__n good
sign you should do something else, take the cameras off them n leave
them the hell alone. I understand they have a job to do but jesus
christ, have a little common decency.
This really sucks, this man should be one of the first if not the first one inducted in the new hall of fame when it opens. If with NASCAR becoming huge he was able to maintain classic racing unlike that bastard Brian France. Truly a sad sad day and he will be missed, but at least his pain is over, he’s had problems since 99.
Prayers to the France family and nothing less than the utmost
respect and admiration to the man who began many years of Nascar
thrills and excitement to loyal fans everywhere. Along with
passing of life comes the passing of pain.
God Bless you Bill France jr.
Breanna, I had the same feeling…almost like the network was waiting for DW to break down or something. Maybe it was just me (and you) but it was a little weird IMHO.
Rest in Peace Bill France Jr. You will be missed
I was saddened to hear the news of Bill France Jr.’s passing when I came home from my summer class. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire France family.
Will his casket fit the templates? Only kidding! This guy, like his father, was a visionary. He ran the show with an iron fist. You never forgot who was in charge. NASCAR soared to greater heights than he envisioned. Think about NASCAR’s growth under this guy. It’s much like the NFL under Pete Rozelle. Jillions of dollars from television, marketing and expansion. He was the right man at the right time. God bless him.
My prayers go out to the Bill Frances Jr. family and nothing less than the utmost admiration and respect to the man that started many years of Nascar.
God Bless You All.
Sorry to hear of his passing. Nascar has gone down hill without his leadership.
Sorry for the loss of Bill France. My prayers will be with his family and the Nascar family at this time of sorrow.