Nascar chairman Brian France arrested for driving under the influence

France took over the family-run motor racing organisation in 2003

Monday 06 August 2018 16:17 EDT
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(Getty)

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Brian France, the CEO and chairman of Nascar, was arrested for driving under the influence on Sunday, according to police. Reports also say he was caught in possession of a controlled substance.

The 56-year-old is one of the most powerful people in American sports and was initially stopped in Sag Harbor, New York. Police say he drove through a stop sign at 7:30pm and failed a roadside sober test after he was suspected of being intoxicated.

Reports say France’s alcohol level was over twice the legal limit, and oxycodone pills were found on his person.

France's grandfather founded NASCAR in 1948
France's grandfather founded NASCAR in 1948 (Getty Images)

He spent the night in jail and was released on Monday morning after his arraignment.

France was allegedly name-dropping his relationship with powerful people, including Donald Trump, while being processed.

His grandfather Bill France, also known as Big Bill, founded Nascar in 1948. Brian took over the organisation, where the most valuable team is worth $325m, in 2003.

France is yet to comment on the incident and no immediate information has been made available by his attorney.

In a statement, Nascar said: “We are aware of an incident that occurred last night and are in the process of gathering information. We take this as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts."

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