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RICHMOND, Va. - APRIL 30: NASCAR Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Brian France speaks with the media during a press conference prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond International Raceway on April 30, 2017 in Richmond, Virginia. Photo: Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Brian France takes indefinite leave of absence following intoxicated driving arrest

By Tucker White
1 Minute Read

This story has been updated to include statements from both Brian France and NASCAR on France’s indefinite leave of absence.

Brian France will take an indefinite leave of absence, after he was arrested for drunk driving and illegal possession of Oxycodone, according to Sag Harbor Village Police. Jim France will take over as the interim Chairman and CEO of NASCAR.

NASCAR issued the following statement on the matter: “Brian France has taken an indefinite leave of absence from NASCAR as chairman and chief executive officer. Effective immediately, NASCAR Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Jim France has assumed the role of interim chairman and chief executive officer.”

Jim France has been involved with NASCAR and International Speedway Corporation since 1959. While serving as NASCAR’s vice chairman and executive vice president, he’s largely overseen the sports car operations of NASCAR.

Brian France also released the following statement: “I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night. Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.”

France was pulled over last night in Suffolk County after he failed to stop at a stop sign on Main Street. During the traffic stop, the officer suspected he was intoxicated and conducted a field sobriety test, which he failed. Upon further inspection, he was found in criminal possession of a controlled substance.

He was arrested and held overnight and was released this morning from the custody of the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court.

NASCAR issued the following statement on France’s arrest: “We are aware of an incident that occurred last night and are in the process of gathering information. We take this as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts.”

France has operated as the Chairman and CEO of NASCAR since 2003.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of SpeedwayMedia.com

Tucker White
Tucker White
I've followed NASCAR for well over 20 years of my life, both as a fan and now as a member of the media. As of 2024, I'm on my ninth season as a traveling NASCAR beat writer. For all its flaws and dumb moments, NASCAR at its best produces some of the best action you'll ever see in the sport of auto racing. Case in point: Kyle Larson's threading the needle pass at Darlington Raceway on May 9, 2021. On used-up tires, racing on a worn surface and an aero package that put his car on the razor's edge of control, Larson demonstrated why he's a generational talent. Those are the stories I want to capture and break down. In addition to NASCAR, I also follow IndyCar and Formula 1. As a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, I'm a diehard Tennessee Volunteers fan (especially in regards to Tennessee football). If covering NASCAR doesn't kill me, down the road, watching Tennessee football will. I'm also a diehard fan of the Atlanta Braves, and I lived long enough to see them win a World Series for the first time since 1995 (when I was just a year old). I've also sworn my fan allegiance to the Nashville Predators, though that's not paid out as much as the Braves. Furthermore, as a massive sports dork, I follow the NFL on a weekly basis. Though it's more out of an obligation than genuine passion (for sports dorks, following the NFL is basically an unwritten rule). Outside of sports, I'm a major cinema buff and a weeb. My favorite film is "Blazing Saddles" and my favorite anime is "Black Lagoon."
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