A hearing in NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France’s DWI case is scheduled for Friday in a New York courtroom, although there isn’t likely to be a resolution to the case that resulted in France taking an indefinite leave from the series.
France isn’t required to be at the hearing at a Suffolk County courthouse, according to a spokesperson for the district attorney’s office. Another court date will likely be set during Friday’s hearing.
France was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and unlawfully possessing a controlled substance in Sag Harbor, N.Y., in August after an officer saw his Lexus roll through a stop sign in the town near the Hamptons.
During the stop, the officer noted in a report obtained by USA TODAY Sports that France’s breath “smelled of an intoxicating beverage, his speech was slurred, his eyes were glassy and red.” France “performed poorly on several standard field sobriety tests administered,” according to the police report.
France registered a .019 in an initial blood alcohol screening and .018 on on subsequent BAC test. Police also found five oxycodone pills in his possession.
A message left with France’s attorney, Ed Burke Jr., by USA TODAY Sports was not returned Thursday.
MORE NASCAR:
PLAYOFFS: Pressure off Logano as Round of 8 hits Texas
MORE: NASCAR wives speak out on race day fears
France has been on leave since hours after the first reports of his Aug. 5 arrest. Jim France, Brian France’s uncle and NASCAR’s vice chairman/executive vice president, became the organization’s interim chairman and CEO.
Brian France ascended to CEO of NASCAR in 2003, taking over for his father Bill Jr., the son of Bill Sr., who founded NASCAR in 1948.
Brian France’s sister, Lesa France Kennedy, is the CEO of International Speedway Corporation, which operates several tracks, including Daytona International Speedway, site of the season-opening Daytona 500, and Homestead-Miami Speedway, which will host the championship finale in three weeks.
Be the first to comment