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France family will not sell NASCAR
Nothing is better at propagating a rumor like a nasty social disease than the internet, and the France family just got a lesson. A report surfaced in Europe that an investment firm based there was investigating the potential purchase of NASCAR. Brian France, chairman of NASCAR, dismissed the report as speculation. According to France, the death of his father, Bill France Jr. most likely kicked off the baseless chatter. The current scoop is that the France family is not stepping down from the top of NASCAR or International Speedway Corporation, another France enterprise. While rising energy prices have taken a bite out of profits, and will likely affect attendance attendance somewhat, France assures that NASCAR will be "just fine."
A couple of other items help fuel the speculation, too. International Speedway endured a couple of abortive efforts in Washington state and New York to add new tracks to its holdings, but the long term plan is indeed for new venues when the right ones present themselves. Television ratings are also down, but that doesn't affect NASCAR so much as whacking the price that can be charged for ad space during television coverage of NASCAR events. So, while it might have been fun to kick the ball around thinking of NASCAR without the Frances – not this time.
[Source: Auto News - Sub Req Photo: NASCAR.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
VP 9:17AM (11/28/2007)
As a nascar fan, i would have preferred the wine & cheese european crowd over the idiot they call France. He forced the crappy chase on us, leaving good tracks for "hot markets" which lead to snoozy races. Can somebody please take this guy away from NASCAR please. Give him a NFL franchise to ruin or something.
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TEM 4:05PM (11/28/2007)
Agreed. I would have been a lot happier to see France go, and take Mike Helton with him, as neither one seems to know what they are doing.
Who would have figured that "emulate the NFL" is not a successful business model in itself? Oh, right, the fans.
dan spalinger 9:22AM (11/28/2007)
Its a real shame he didn't sell...NASCAR=NHL 20 years ago...ripe for its downfall and turning its back on its core fans. Inconsistent rulings (see Gordon, Robby), rigged finishes (see Gordon, Jeff), constant cheating scandals with little punishment (see Johnson, Jimmie), sharply declining ratings and attendance (see California and Homestead races) and what you get is a sport that is missing all the signs of its own demise...
CORR racing is where the growth will be...
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catgirlshyla 10:34AM (11/28/2007)
And they still can't turn right!!
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motorman 10:51AM (11/28/2007)
NASCAR races have no racing till the last 50 miles is the problem. they should allow only gas or tires not both on yellow flag pit stops and give more points for leading laps so they will race to be out front and no points for leading just one lap.
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theguru 11:59AM (11/28/2007)
OH hell no Nascar coming to NYC ! Keep them hill billys in the midwest.
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Snix 12:28AM (11/29/2007)
Maybe Bernie Ecclestone could buy NASCAR? That would be a hoot! Make 'em run races clockwise! Have 'em interviewed by Peter Windsor after the race and sit next to each other! Drag their butts around the world to race!
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