Statements on Passing of NASCAR Vice Chairman Bill France Jr.- Lowes Motor Speedway

"Bill did a tremendous job of implementing the lessons learned from his father and managing NASCAR and its growth during his era. His father taught him this business from the ground up and Bill had respect for our sport's history and a strong desire to continue to move it forward, which he did. His leadership will be missed. My sincere condolences go out to Betty Jane, Lisa, Brian, Jim and the rest of the France family."

-- O. Bruton Smith, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Speedway Motorsports Inc.

"Our heart goes out to the entire France family. Bill France Jr.
rose to the greatest challenge of all-following in his legendary father's footsteps to take what he began into the mainstream of American sport.
It was not an easy path. He hammered up advertising posters in places like Hillsborough, North Wilkesboro, the old Charlotte Speedway and the beach track at Daytona. He did everything from selling tickets to giving broke racers enough money to get home or to the next track.
He helped his father guide the sport through the turbulent Sixties.
When the whole thing was dumped in his lap in the Seventies, there was little capital investment, few sponsors and network television was rare.
His steady hand and analytical mind were exactly what was needed at the time, and that firm hand guided stock car racing through explosive growth and success.
He will go down as one of the great leaders of American sport in the 20th century and his contribution to motorsports is immeasurable."

-- H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, President and Chief Operating Officer, Speedway Motorsports, Inc.