NASCAR: Everything We Know About CEO Brian France’s DUI and Drug Possession
He may be the chief executive officer of a sport involving fast-moving vehicles. But that didn’t mean Brian France could get away with driving recklessly.
ESPN reports the NASCAR CEO and chairman was arrested in the Hamptons Sunday night for “aggravated driving while intoxicated”, according to a release from the Sag Harbor Village Police Department. The release states France was also in possession of “a controlled substance” at the time of his arrest.
NASCAR responded to the arrest with a brief statement on Monday morning, TMZ reports. “We are aware of an incident that occurred last night and are in the process of gathering information,” the statement reportedly reads. “We take this as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts.”Given his actions violate NASCAR’s drug abuse policy, France may face further punishment.

France was reportedly stopped by police around 7:30 pm on Sunday evening after he blew through a stop sign in a 2017 Lexus. The TMZ report says the 56-year-old failed a field sobriety test after being pulled over, and that his blood alcohol level was over twice the legal limit.
The news release obtained by ESPN adds: “Upon search of his person, due to a lawful arrest, Mr. France was in possession of oxycodone pills.”
France was then taken to the nearest station where he was booked for DUI and “criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree,” TMZ reports. During the process, France allegedly continued to name-drop all the high-profile people he knew, including the president. He stayed in jail overnight and was released Monday morning.
While this story is still developing, there appears to already be a possibility France receives further disciplinary action. Under NASCAR’s substance abuse policy, France could be suspended and be subject to frequent drug tests, ESPN tells us.
France has been CEO of NASCAR since 2003. His grandfather, Bill France Sr., founded NASCAR in 1948. His father, Bill France Jr., was at the helm from 1972 to 2000. It isn’t readily clear if this is France’s first offense since he took over as CEO and chairman. He has yet to publicly comment on the report.