Nascar's Organizational Structure

Make no doubt about it, NASCAR is a business and isISC owns as well as operates 11 motor speedways
run like any other major corporation. NASCAR is aplus is a major promoter of motorsports. Bill France's
family-owned business with Brian France as thesister Lesa France Kennedy and his uncle Jim France
third-generation CEO. Brian France is the son of Billis the Vice Chairman of the Board and Chairman of
France, Jr., who passed away at the age of 74 inthe Board/CEO respectively.
June of 2007.Although not an organizational structure per se,
The current President of NASCAR is Mike Helton.NASCAR organization structure is built around three
What is interesting about Mike Helton's appointmentmain events which could be thought of as three main
as President of NASCAR in the NASCAR organizationlines of business: 1) The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series,
structure is that he is not a member of the France2) The NASCAR Busch Series, and 3) The NASCAR
family. He was named as President in the NASCARCraftsman Truck Series.
organization in 1999. That was a year that would seeAnd a fundamental part of the NASCAR organization
much change in the NASCAR organization in terms ofstructure is the promoters. Promoter sponsorship has
safety because of the sudden death of Daledrawn some criticism from the fan base because
Earnhardt on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500more and more it seems that NASCAR is more
and it was because of this incident that NASCARabout commercials than it is about racing. However, in
would begin to head numerous initiatives for theorder for NASCAR to stay alive as an organization it
safety of drivers and fans.needs the sponsors. Ticket sales alone will probably
The very nature of a family-controlled organizationnot bring in the revenue needed to stay healthy in
means that the family will control most of thebusiness.
proceeds. This has been a criticism by some whoThe Nextel Cup Series is the most prestigious of the
think NASCAR should be a joint owner-player type ofNASCAR organization. This series starts with the
profit sharing model. Other critics have madeDaytona 500 at the beginning and consists of 36
assertions that the NASCAR organization could doraces in 19 states and on 22 different tracks.
more for driver safety. And there have beenThe second premier event in the NASCAR
accusations that the NASCAR organization is tooorganization is the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
monopolistic in its policies. But millions enjoy the sportThis event started in 1996 and was previously known
promoted by this business and advertisers love theas the SuperTruck Series. Its roots come from a
exposure they get. Plus, the championship prizesdisplay of a NASCAR-style pickup truck at the 1994
seem to be attractive to many drivers.Daytona 500.
NASCAR is not publicly-traded on the stockAnd the last premier event in the NASCAR
exchange however its major sanctioning body isorganization is the NASCAR Busch Series which is
International Speedway Corporation which is publiclyconsidered to be like the minor leagues of NASCAR.
traded on the NASDAQ under stock symbol ISCA.