Multiple NASCAR observers credited Jim France with steadying the ship at Michigan last weekendGETTY IMAGES
NASCAR interim Chair & CEO Jim France is a "little bit of a stabilizing force" for the organization after Brian France's DWI arrest last week, according to Bob Pockrass of ESPN.com. Team Owner Roger Penske said Jim France "understands the dynamics of the sport going on today," calling him a "real rational guy." Penske added, "He's a good friend of the guys in the garage area, and at this time I think, for me, it was the right thing for him to do to step in." Pockrass noted Jim France attended the pre-race drivers meeting on Sunday at Michigan Int'l Speedway, while Brian France had "not attended a drivers council meeting in a couple of years, so just the presence from Jim mattered." Driver Brad Keselowski said, "We were all really pleased to see him." Meanwhile, team Owner Rick Hendrick said of Brian France, "I'm not sure we have a TV deal if it wasn't for him." Penske also "echoed the accomplishments of Brian." He said, "He'll be a better man, and I think the sport has enough management in place that will make decisions" (ESPN.com, 8/13). The AP's Jenna Fryer wrote since Brian France took a leave of absence last week, NASCAR has "closed ranks." But Jim France "steadied the ship through his mere presence at Michigan." It remains to be seen "just what influence Jim France will have, or even how large of a role he'd like to take." Fryer: "Will Jim France fix all of NASCAR's problems? Absolutely not." But in "making a change at the top, NASCAR created new energy when the series seemed very stale" (AP, 8/13). NBCSN's Nate Ryan said while Jim France will be "more visible, I don't necessarily think he'll be more vocal," as he is "notoriously media shy." Ryan added the garage "knows Jim France very well" and that many drivers over the weekend "said they all like Jim France and they like his leadership approach" ("NASCAR America," NBCSN, 8/12).
