Bill France Jr. Passes
Monday June 4, 2007
During today's NEXTEL Cup race it was announced that Bill France Jr. had passed away. Bill France Jr. was guiding force behind NASCAR for nearly 30 years.
Before "Little" Bill France took command NASCAR was a regional sport popular mostly in the southeast. In just a few years' time Bill France Jr. signed Winston as the series title sponsor, cleaned up the schedule and got NASCAR on live national television. Bill France Jr. put NASCAR on the map.
Our thoughts are with the France family.
Comments
Many of us get on this post and rant and rave on how Nascar is run, but you have to admit, what the France family has done with the sport is nothing short of amazing. Without the France family, we may not have a sport to rant about.
As Steve mentions above, what Bill Jr. did for the sport, taking to not just national, but international level is unbelieveable. Nascar rivals any stick and ball sport on the planet.
I am sure that today, Bill Jr. is catching Benny Parsons, Dale Earnhardt, Davey Allison, Alan Kulwicki, and all the others on what has been going on down here.
Thanks Little Bill.
A very sad lost in the NASCAR World mebe even sadder then the lost of Earnhardt
The France Family BUILT Nascar no matter what any others may say. WITHOUT the France Family’s Dedication to the Sport,Nascar would NEVER have had the impact it does on the Sports World. I,for one,fully agree with the comments made by Steve and 1969rs,Bill Jr brought Nascar’s International as well as National level to where it is today. Am sure BillJr,DaleSr,Benny,Davey,along with all the rest of “Ole Boys” are having a Conference on what has been going on down here and hopefully they will be able to inspire the “Younger Generation” to settle back and rethink the path they are trying to take Nascar,maybe the “Ole Boys” weren’t so outdated after all. Thank you ” Little Bill”,hope somebody listens to what the France Family tried to do with Nascar and picks up and carries on your Legacy. Heartfelt Prayers and Condolences to the France Family in this difficult time. “Little” Bill touched more lives than you will ever know,he IS a LEGACY,but NOBODY will be able to fill his shoes. May He Rest In Peace.
He will be missed so much. He and his family did so much for Nascar.We can only hope his thought and ideas keep going thru his family. My he rest in Peace.
Nascar is the most highly viewed sport today …….with the most sponsors…..one must say that he certainly left a very impressive legacy…
This isn’t going to go on as long
as DE’s loss is it?
I think we lost a pioneer in the sport industry as a whole and even better than a great man with tremendous vision. Nascar went from a redneck sport of the south to the most watched sporting event besides the Super Bowl. With out Mr. France and the France family Nascar struggles to get into main stream in my opinion. Nascar has ever state wanting a race. My complete condolences go out to the France family in this tough and trying time. Death is never easy and my thoughts and prayers will be with you. May God Bless the France family as well as Nascar.