Bill France Jr. passed away today at the age of 74. He passed on a race day, just as his father did 15 years earlier, and while cars circulated at Dover International Speedway Monday afternoon, the flags were lowered to half mast.

The show – the show that he took from his father and passed on to his son – goes on, just as he would’ve wanted it to. There’s nary a doubt that he did more for it than anyone.

When he took over NASCAR in 1972, the sport was barely regional. All he did in 31 years was turn the best kept secret in the South into a national juggernaut. He brought on R.J. Reynolds in 1973, sold CBS on broadcasting the Daytona 500 flag-to-flag in 1979, and retired with the sport second only to the NFL in television ratings and first in spectator attendance.

For 30-plus years, he served as NASCAR’s president, salesman, and rule enforcer. When he talked, everyone listened, and he always got his way, a way that proved to be right. 

I got to meet Bill France Jr. in 1994 in Darlington Raceway’s parking lot. He was entertaining several sponsors and suits but took time to talk with me about what I liked about the sport, not to mention sign my ball cap.

I was only 11 years old, but knew I was in the presence of someone special. 

When his father turned over the reigns of the sport he formed, everyone said France Jr. had big shoes to fill. Not only did he fill them, he extended what he was given tenfold, leaving his mark and legacy all over the races that millions enjoy today.

God’s speed.

"The worst thing I could think of is working in a job that you don't enjoy. When you enjoy your work, the days just fly by, sometimes too fast."

- Bill France Jr.