Bill France Jr, who became NASCAR’s second president when he assumed the reins from his father, has passed away at age 74.
He oversaw NASCAR’s growth from a regional Southeastern US sport, to the coast-to-coast, border-to-border, and even international attraction is has become today.
Just a few of the things that molded NASCAR racing on Bill France Jr’s watch:
- All NASCAR races run on paved tracks – 1971.
- First live flag-to-flag coverage ov the Daytona 500 – 1979.
- First million dollar purse for the Daytona 500 – 1980.
- NASCAR’s post-season awards ceremony moved to New York City – 1981.
- Anheuser-Busch assumes title sponsorship of the NASCAR Busch Series – 1984.
- The Winston Million, a bonus for winning 3 of 4 of the Daytona 500, Winston 500, Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500 is established – 1985.
- NASCAR’s top series becomes knows as the Winston Cup Series – 1986.
- Every Winston Cup event is televised live – 1989.
- Inaugural Brickyard 400 is run from Indianapolis – 1994.
- The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series runs its inaugural event – 1995.
- A demonstration race is run at Suzuka, Japan – 1996.
- 2.4 billion TV deal with Fox, NBC and Turner Sports – 1999. Coverage started in 2001.
He passed the presidency to Mike Helton in 2000, but stayed on as CEO. Since then, we’ve seen XM and now Sirius Satellite radio, with 24×7 NASCAR coverage, the unveiling of the NASCAR R&D Center in Concord NC, and the series major sponsor changed to Nextel from RJ Reynolds.
Quite an impressive list. I didn’t always agree with everything NASCAR did; I wish they could have found a way to keep the North Wilkesboro and Rockingham NC facilities open, and I don’t like the way they’ve marginalized the Darlington SC facility.
Still, I’m amazed every time I tune in to a race; I remember the humble beginnings. And all fans owe a large part of what we take for granted about to the sport to the vision and fortitide of Bill France Jr. His contributions were great, and he will be missed.
-k-
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