NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France arrested in New York for DUI, possession of Oxycodone
Brian France, the CEO and Chairman of NASCAR, was reportedly arrested on Sunday in New York, after the 56-year-old was stopped in Sag Harbor after he failed to stop at a stop sign. Officials suspected he was driving while intoxicated and a cursory search of him and the vehicle yielded oxycodone pills. He was subsequently charged with driving under influence and possession of a controlled substance.
A statement from the Sag Harbor Police Department read: "On August 05, 2018 at 7:30 p.m., the Sag Harbor Police Department arrested Brian Z. France for aggravated driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the 7th degree. Mr. France was observed operating a 2017 Lexus northbound on mainstreet failing to stop at a duly posted stop sign(sic)."
"Upon traffic stop, it was determined that Mr. France was operating said vehicle in an intoxicated condition. Upon search of his person due to a lawful arrest, Mr. France was in possession of oxycodone pills. Mr. France was arrested and processed and held overnight for arraignment in the morning. Mr. France was arraigned at the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court on 08/06/2018 at 9:30 a.m. where he was released in his own recognizance (sic)."
According to Fox, France's blood alcohol level was apparently twice over the New York legal limit of 0.08 at the time of his arrest. He is also said to have attempted to sway the police by dropping the names of some of his powerful allies, including President Donald Trump, but to no avail.
NASCAR responded to France's arrest with a statement of their own. "We are aware of the incident that occurred last night and are in the process of gathering information," it read. "We take this as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all the facts."
France is a third generation executive in the sport of stock car racing and has followed in the footsteps of grandfather and NASCAR co-founder Bill France Sr. and father Bill Jr. in running NASCAR. He was named as one of the '100 Most Influential of the Century' by TIME in 2006 and is considered to be one of the most powerful sports executives in the country.