Brian France compared again
On January and being at NASCAR’s Research and Development Center north of Charlotte, Brian France became annoyed at the implication that he has not been a good leader in his more than six years as NASCAR’s chief executive. Truth is, many of the stakeholders in the sport feel much the same way about the CEO wondering if he wants to do the job, and why he did not adjust his managerial approach to leading the sport sooner as NASCAR began to have economic difficulties. This problems included drops in attendance and TV ratings, both of which were falling before the recession hit.
Brain France has only been NASCAR’s leader since 2003, but many changes have taken place since then. ”I’ve known Brian a long time, and I know he can do it. But he’s got to stand up and say, ‘I’m in charge, we’re doing this. We’re on the same page, and we’re going to get this done,’” said Ray Evernham, former crew chief for Jeff Gordon.
In a brief interview -just before he ran from one meeting to another, talking to NASCAR owners and drivers, crew chiefs and marketers, track presidents and TV executives, as the start of a new season was just around the corner-, France stated, “I have to lead in a way that fits my style and approach. Not everybody is going to agree with that.”
The thing is he has been compared to his father, Bill Jr. and to his grandfather, Big Bill. “If you’re going to compare me to somebody else, my father or whoever, I’m not going to be somebody else,” said a Brian, who has never been more active than in the months following the end of last season. France’s offseason mission: meet with every track operator, broadcast partner and team by his self-imposed deadline of this week’s Daytona 500.
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? is kinda...
