William Henry Getty France (September 26, 1909 – June 7, 1992) was an American businessman and racing driver. He was also known as Bill France Sr. or Big Bill. He is best known for founding and managing NASCAR, a sanctioning body of American-based stock car racing.

Early life

France was born in Washington, D.C., the son of Emma Graham, an immigrant from Ireland, and William Henry France. His older brother James died at the age of 11. Big Bill skipped school as a teenager to make laps in the family Model T Ford at the high-banked board track near Laurel, Maryland. He ran laps until there was just enough time to beat his father home. France worked at several jobs before owning and operating his own service station. He built his customer base by waking before dawn and crank-starting customers' cars in the middle of winter. He began painting houses, then worked at a local car dealership. He set up a car repair shop in Daytona at 316 Main Street Station, still in existence today as an event and entertainment venue. Malcolm Campbell and other land speed record competitors decided to stop competing for land speed records at Daytona in favor of the Bonneville Salt Flats later in 1935 because the track was getting too rutted. Daytona had lost its claim to fame. City officials were determined to keep speed-related events, events which had been a mid-winter source of revenue for area hotels and restaurants. France promoted events at Seminole Speedway immediately after the war. He built the Occoneechee Speedway in 1947.

NASCAR

thumbnail|The property located at 316 Main Street Station once owned and operated by France, which is still operating today as an event and entertainment venue.

France knew that promoters needed to organize their efforts. Drivers were frequently victimized by unscrupulous promoters who would leave events with all the money before drivers were paid. On December 14, 1947, France began talks with drivers, mechanics, and car owners at the Ebony Bar at the Streamline Hotel at Daytona Beach, Florida, which ended with the formation of NASCAR on February 21, 1948. They discussed uniform rules, insurance coverage, and guaranteed purses.

He built the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, which inducted France in its first class on July 25, 1990.

Political activity

France also served as campaign manager for George Wallace during the latter's 1972 effort to achieve the Democratic nomination for President of the United States and permitted Wallace to campaign during the Daytona 500 race held in that year. After Wallace ended his campaign, France became the vice chairman of John Connally's Democrats for Nixon that supported Richard Nixon's re-election; he was also a member of the Motorsports Committee for the Reelection of President Nixon alongside various drivers and racing executives.

Death

France died June 7, 1992, at his home in Ormond Beach, Florida, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease, aged 82.

Honors

  • He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990.
  • He was inducted in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1990.
  • He was inducted in the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2004.

References

  • The Unauthorized NASCAR Fan Guide by Bill Fleischman and Al Pearce, 1999.
  • NASCAR history
  • Daytona Beach Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame