Brian France addresses rumors on a sale of NASCAR

Brian France discusses bump-n-run contact in NASCAR; The level playing field; Addresses the year-long rumors that NASCAR is for sale

NASCAR is a contact sport

As other racing series frown on contact, NASCAR thrives on it. Aggressive racing is to be expected on stock car circuits.

Series like F1 penalize drivers for aggressive driving. They’ll call it, ‘causing a collision’. But, in NASCAR the bumpers line up. If there’s a car on your bumper in the closing laps everyone would expect the bumper to be applied.

That’s exactly what happened in the closing laps at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Championship contenders Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick were in a battle for the lead as the rain was on the horizon. Harvick put the bumper to Busch and drove off to take the win.

NASCAR is in favor of this very thing…

What did you think about the contact with Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch?

“The same thing I thought about with the contact between Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson. That’s just part of… I say quintessential. That’s part of NASCAR,” NASCAR CEO Brian France stated on Tradin’ Paint via Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.

“Late in the race, you’re going to have some contact. That’s part of it. Obviously, there’s an excess moment that could happen and neither did.”

“Bump and runs, bumping and charging… of course! That’s what we’re about.”

“We celebrate that. We don’t shy away from that. That’s the difference between us and probably every other motorsport. They kinda cringe a little bit. But, we kinda like that.”

“Obviously, there are limits and we’ve always said that. There’s no question about that. But, what we’ve seen in two out of the last 3 weeks, is great.”

“We love it.”

Aric Almirola - NASCAR OSS Inspection
Aric Almirola – NASCAR OSS Inspection

Level playing field

In recent years NASCAR has gone to exceptional lengths in the name of the level playing field. The LIS inspection is gone. Replaced with a new modern day optical scanning station.

But, the teams are still here to push the boundaries. Even if they’re only fighting for thousandths of an inch. Sometimes, it bites them in bulk. Like the case at Pocono Raceway where 13 cars failed post qualifying inspection.

“It’s a constant effort. The teams, their whole goal is to get ahead of the other teams anyway that they can. We understand that,” Brian France explains.

“Our goal is to bring that back to a level playing field. Where the best drivers and best teams win the races.”

“But, it’s a constant effort to go everything in the right place. We’re just going to keep trying to do it.”

Is NASCAR for sale?

NASCAR was rumored to have hired a bank to value their privately held company. This led to rumors that the France family was looking to sell the company. In court documents from several years ago, Jim France was listed as the majority owner.

“Look, we’re focused on going and managing NASCAR. There’s nothing to report on that. Rumors are always interesting. But, they’re seldom right,” NASCAR CEO Brian France explained.

“The France family is locked and loaded in its dedication to NASCAR.”

France commented a similar phrase following the NASCAR All-Star race weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He reiterated, making these similar comments shortly after a great race weekend at New Hampshire.

More

Related: Brian France comments on the idea of a NASCAR dirt race

Related: NASCAR is exploring a sale

Related: Is NASCAR for sale?

Related: 13 cars fail inspection at Pocono Raceway

Related: Brad Keselowski wants to see Brian France at the race track

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