Sad News - Betty Jane France: Betty Jane France, known fondly as the “First Lady of NASCAR Racing,” died Monday, according to various sources, including a tweet from a family member. A NASCAR representative would neither confirm nor deny France’s death, but a friend of the family late Monday night confirmed that she had died in the afternoon. Betty Jane’s grandson, driver Ben Kennedy, sent out a message on his Twitter account that read: “We all miss you grandma. Thank you for being you still can’t believe it. #neverforgotten” France was executive vice president and assistant treasurer of NASCAR and chairperson of the NASCAR Foundation. The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award was created in her honor in 2011. Through the NASCAR Foundation, this award recognizes outstanding charitable and volunteer efforts of NASCAR fans. For the last five years, France presented this award at the NASCAR Awards Banquet in Las Vegas. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, France, the former Betty Jane Zachary, met her husband, William C. France in her hometown. They married and soon relocated to Daytona Beach. Bill France Jr. rose through the ranks to become the chairman and CEO of NASCAR. He passed away in June 2007 at the age of 74. France’s children, Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corporation and Brian France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR, now lead the empire started by William H.G. France, along with Betty Jane’s brother-in-law, Jim France, who is vice chairman of NASCAR and chairman of ISC. Betty Jane France was a community leader and known as a champion of health care for children. She assisted in the establishment of the “Speediatrics” children’s care unit at Halifax Health Medical Center and helped develop a similar facility for children in Homestead, where International Speedway Corporation owns a racetrack. She was a member of the Junior League and has served on boards of numerous area community service organizations including the Volusia/Flagler chapter of the American Red Cross and the Garden Club of the Halifax Country.(Daytona Beach News-Journal)
AND Betty Jane France, a philanthropist in support of children’s health causes, passed away Monday evening. France is the mother of NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the former Betty Jane Zachary was the widow of the late NASCAR Chairman and CEO William C. France, who passed away in 2007. Betty Jane France was executive vice president and assistant treasurer of NASCAR and the chairwoman emeritus of the NASCAR Foundation.
“Last night, the NASCAR family lost a mother, a grandmother, a friend and the light that guided the sport’s charitable arm,” said Brian France. “My mother taught us incredible values, that of love, patience, compassion and joy. She embraced life every day, and nothing fueled her passion more than children. Her unmatched efforts in building The NASCAR Foundation improved the lives of millions of children throughout this country. And because of that, her legacy will live forever. My father leaned on my mother throughout his life, relying on her wisdom and calming demeanor to help grow the sport of NASCAR. She was there, every step of the way. When we lost my father, her positive presence remained, as she used her immense skill to grow NASCAR’s heart and soul, The NASCAR Foundation. Our family thanks you for all of your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. My mother was a special woman, and an impressive person, and she will be dearly missed.”
France became chairwoman of The NASCAR Foundation upon the foundation’s inception in 2004. Headquartered in Daytona Beach, the foundation is an entity that embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities. The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award Presented by Nationwide, recognizing outstanding charitable and volunteer efforts of NASCAR fans, was created in her honor in 2011. France was a longtime community leader in Daytona Beach, Florida, and best known as a steadfast champion of health care for children. She assisted in the establishment of “Speediatrics” children’s care unit at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach and at Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Florida. In 2003, France was presented the Halifax Medical Center Foundation’s Humanitarian Award in recognition of her advocacy, commitment, support and advancement of numerous area community service organizations including the Volusia/Flagler chapter of the American Red Cross. She was a member of the Junior League of Daytona Beach serving on boards of numerous area community service organizations. In July 2008, she was named as an honorary co-chairperson for the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, a project headed by longtime NASCAR team owner Richard Childress in Winston-Salem, N.C. Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.(NASCAR)(8-30-2016)
Entry List for the Bojangles’ Southern 500 Sprint Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway is posted, 40 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed, including: #21-Blaney*, #30-Wise*, #32-Earnhardt, #55-Sorenson*, #88-Gordon, #95-McDowell, #98-Whitt*.
Drivers who are not a Charter team, an Open Team, and must get in via speed: #21-Blaney, #30-Wise, #55-Sorenson, #98-Whitt
Since only 40 cars are entered, all drivers will make the race, 40 is the maximum.
* Open Team (no Charter)
See the full entry list on Jayski.com’s Darlington Entry List
NBC to add throwback coverage to Darlington Sprint Cup race: NBC Sports gears up for a throwback weekend of racing from Darlington highlighted by the NASCAR Sprint Cup series Bojangles’ Southern 500 Sunday at 6:00pm/et on NBC. NBC Sports joins Darlington Raceway in celebrating the sights and sounds of the 1975-1984 era with throwback themes integrated into this weekend’s coverage. In addition to traditional graphics and historic logos, NASCAR on NBC’s on-air team will dress in their best time period apparel. Throughout the weekend NASCAR on NBC’s pre-race set will be flanked by a series of old school cars from the decade. Music and footage from the era will also bring viewers in and out of commercial breaks. Race day coverage kicks off with a revamped version of Blake Shelton’s NASCAR on NBC “Bringing Back the Sunshine” Open, full of racing moments spanning the track’s incredible history. Legendary NASCAR broadcasters Ken Squier and Ned Jarrett return to the booth, alongside Dale Jarrett, to call a portion of the race. Squier adds his voice to a special pre-race feature on the storied Raceway. Pre-race coverage also includes a special three car on-track preview of Darlington Raceway. In addition to Jeff Burton in the Toyota Camry on-track car, Kyle Petty will drive his father’s famed 1979 “43 Championship race car alongside Dale Jarrett in fellow Hall of Famer Benny Parsons’ #72 car.(NBC)(9-1-2016)