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closeNASCAR's France touts value, talks about ownership, going 'green'
DAVID POOLE
The Charlotte Observer
Friday, Jul. 04, 2008
NASCAR chairman Brian France said Friday that NASCAR is not immune to economic difficulties and rising energy costs and will try to work with teams and fans to deal with the challenges those problems present.
"We are working hard to make sure our fans get as much value as they can when they come to our events," France said.
France said NASCAR will work aggressively to bring new owners into the sport.
"Part of the goal with our new car was to bring down the barriers to entry," France said. "I know the jury is still out on that, but that's our goal. We will do what can we do to attract new owners who will field competitive teams. That's what makes us work."
France said he believes more teams are getting the feel of the new race car being at all tracks for the first time this year. He stood behind NASCAR's decision not to change the rules on it despite calls for that from some teams.
"I know there has been a lot of debate that we should do this or that to make the car more raceable," France said. "The decision we made not to move the goal posts around and let the teams get caught up has paid off.
"We are very confident in that strategy and the teams will figure this car out."
France also said:
• He led a daylong meeting when the circuit was in Sonoma regarding a "comprehensive" approach toward a "green" initiative in NASCAR.
• A study of NASCAR's drug testing policy is nearly complete and that "if there are ways to improve it, and they're probably are," the changes would come in the next month to six weeks.
• NASCAR will "defend ourselves very vigorously" against allegations of discrimination and sexual harassment in a lawsuit filed by former Nationwide Series official Mauricia Grant.
• That franchising has been considered, but that "the reality is that franchising closes off competition, it doesn't increase it."