Brian France Has The Support Of NASCAR During Trying Times

Brian France Became Much More Involved With Business-Planning Meetings This Offseason

As NASCAR "faces one of the toughest economic stretches in its 61-year history," NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France "still searches for an identity, at least a public one," according to David Newton of ESPN.com. Inside the sport, France is "considered the right man for the job." Though France "isn't the promoter or car guy" his predecessors Bill France and Bill France Jr. were, some suggest that he is a "better fit for today's challenges than his dad or granddad would be if they were alive." Many of France's "accomplishments have gone unnoticed, such as consolidating television and media rights to put the sport in a position to grow, working to increase diversity and 'green initiatives' and implementing cost-saving and safety measures." France "cares about the business, now more than ever were," and was "engaged in more departmental business-planning meetings during the offseason than ever before, discussing topics that ranged from licensing to broadcasting to competition." NASCAR Media Group President Paul Brooks: "That was a clear signal to all of us we had to step up our game. He knew the economic times were going to be tough, and he not only was going to lead us forward but he was going to be in the middle of those plans at a very detailed level." While France "isn't at the track as often as his father or grandfather," it "doesn't mean he's uninvolved." He talks on the phone with NASCAR President Mike Helton "three or four times a day and always is consulted on major decisions." The buck "still stops with him" (ESPN.com, 2/12).

STEP UP YOUR GAME: Forbes' Jack Gage in a special to the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER writes, "No one has a bigger stake in the success of stock car racing that its founding France family, but a series of blunders has contributed to the dilution of its on-track product." Gage writes management could "reinvigorate NASCAR by giving team owners equity in the sport and a bigger cut of broadcast and licensing fees." France would be "wise to recognize the scope of NASCAR's challenges and pursue bold steps accordingly" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/13).