Brian France issues statement following arrest; Steps down as NASCAR CEO

Brian France takes a leave of absence from NASCAR CEO position following arrest

Jim France promoted to interim CEO of NASCAR

On Sunday night, 56-year-old Brian France rolled through a stop sign in Southampton, New York. He was pulled over by local police at the intersection of Wharf Street and Main Street.

Read the statement from Brian France below.

Sag Harbor Police stated in the report that France was intoxicated. Brian France’s blood alcohol content was reported to be more than twice the legal limit. He was tested at 0.18. The legal limit in the state of New York is 0.08. Police then searched the vehicle and found Oxycodone pills in his procession.

The NASCAR CEO was arrested around 7:30pm. The official charge was aggravated driving while intoxicated. In addition, he was also charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance due to the pills found in his possession.

France spent the night at the Southhampton based police station. He was released following an arraignment on Monday morning at the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court around 9:30am.

Now, Brian France has issued a statement on the night. In addition, NASCAR has updated their earlier statement.

Effective immediately, Brian France has taken a leave of absence as the head of NASCAR. Jim France will take the interim chairman and chief executive officer position.

The following image is a mugshot from from the Sag Harbor Police Department.

Brian France mugsot
Brian France mugsot (August 5th, 2018) Sag Harbor Police

Brian France Statement

“I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night,” Brian France stated on Monday night.

“Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.”

NASCAR Statement on the arrest of Brian France

“Brian France has taken an indefinite leave of absence from NASCAR as chairman and chief executive officer,” NASCAR issued in a statement to the press.

“Effective immediately, NASCAR Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Jim France has assumed the role of interim chairman and chief executive officer.”

Sag Harbor Village Police Department Statement

“On August 05, 2018 at 7:30Pm the Sag Harbor Village Police Department arrested Brian Z. France for aggravated driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree.”

“Mr. France was observed operating a 2017 Lexus northbound on main street failing to stop at a duly posted stop sign. Upon traffic stop it was determined that Mr. France was operating said vehicle in an intoxicated condition.”

“Upon search of his person due to a lawful arrest Mr. France was in possession of Oxycodone pills.”

“Mr. France was arrested and processed held overnight for arraignment in the morning. Mr. France was arraigned at the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court on 08/05/2018 at 9:30am where he was released on his own recognizance.”

Authority of Sargent Robert Drake #302

Notes

Brian France will appear in court to face the charges listed above on September 14th, 2018.

Jim France is the uncle to Brian France. He is also the brother of Bill France Jr.

Jim France has held the position of NASCAR President CEO in the past. He retired from the role of president in 2000. In 2003, Brian France took over the position of CEO.

Since 2003, Brian France has held the position of NASCAR CEO. Formerly, he held the position of President and CEO. Last year, Brent Dewar took over the position of NASCAR president.

The France family also operates International Speedway Corporation (ISC). Jim France is a chairman of that company. Lisa France Kennedy is the CEO of the track operations company.

Jim France is known as the leader of IMSA. The sportscar sanction is also a division of the NASCAR banner.

In addition, previous court papers informed the public that Jim France was listed as the majority owner of NASCAR. That information was brought to light as Brian France was going through a divorce.

In 2007, Jim France was ranked on the Forbes list as the 664th-richest person in the world. At that time, he had an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion. That same year, he was also listed as third-wealthiest American motorsports personage.

NASCAR has a strict substance abuse policy with applies to all NASCAR members. Under those rules, Brian France could be suspended and required to go through NASCAR road to recovery program. It’s still unclear if the NASCAR CEO would be be exempt from this rehab program or not.

Any announcement of a suspension would be included in the weekly NASCAR penalty report. Those reports are generally issued on Tuesday or Wednesday after the cars from the most recent race go through the NASCAR R&D Center inspection in Concord, North Carolina.

In far away races, penalty reports are generally announced on Wednesday. This week, the sanction was racing at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York.

More

Related: NASCAR CEO arrested for DUI

Related: Brian France addresses the rumors on a sale of NASCAR

Related: Brian France comments on the idea of a NASCAR dirt race; Praises his uncle Jim France

Related: NASCAR is exploring a sale

Related: Is NASCAR for sale?

Related: Spencer Gallagher suspended following a NASCAR issued drug test

Related: Brent Dewar promoted to NASCAR president

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

Links

NASCAR | Southhampton Village

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