| Make no doubt about it, NASCAR is a business | | | | motorsports. Bill France's sister Lesa France |
| and is run like any other major corporation. | | | | Kennedy and his uncle Jim France is the Vice |
| NASCAR is a family-owned business with Brian | | | | Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the |
| France as the third-generation CEO. Brian | | | | Board/CEO respectively. |
| France is the son of Bill France, Jr., who | | | | |
| passed away at the age of 74 in June of 2007. | | | | Although not an organizational structure per |
| | | | se, NASCAR organization structure is built |
| The current President of NASCAR is Mike | | | | around three main events which could be |
| Helton. What is interesting about Mike | | | | thought of as three main lines of business: |
| Helton's appointment as President of NASCAR | | | | 1) The NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, 2) The |
| in the NASCAR organization structure is that | | | | NASCAR Busch Series, and 3) The NASCAR |
| he is not a member of the France family. He | | | | Craftsman Truck Series. |
| was named as President in the NASCAR | | | | |
| organization in 1999. That was a year that | | | | And a fundamental part of the NASCAR |
| would see much change in the NASCAR | | | | organization structure is the promoters. |
| organization in terms of safety because of | | | | Promoter sponsorship has drawn some criticism |
| the sudden death of Dale Earnhardt on the | | | | from the fan base because more and more it |
| last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 and it was | | | | seems that NASCAR is more about commercials |
| because of this incident that NASCAR would | | | | than it is about racing. However, in order |
| begin to head numerous initiatives for the | | | | for NASCAR to stay alive as an organization |
| safety of drivers and fans. | | | | it needs the sponsors. Ticket sales alone |
| | | | will probably not bring in the revenue needed |
| The very nature of a family-controlled | | | | to stay healthy in business. |
| organization means that the family will | | | | |
| control most of the proceeds. This has been a | | | | The Nextel Cup Series is the most prestigious |
| criticism by some who think NASCAR should be | | | | of the NASCAR organization. This series |
| a joint owner-player type of profit sharing | | | | starts with the Daytona 500 at the beginning |
| model. Other critics have made assertions | | | | and consists of 36 races in 19 states and on |
| that the NASCAR organization could do more | | | | 22 different tracks. |
| for driver safety. And there have been | | | | |
| accusations that the NASCAR organization is | | | | The second premier event in the NASCAR |
| too monopolistic in its policies. But | | | | organization is the NASCAR Craftsman Truck |
| millions enjoy the sport promoted by this | | | | Series. This event started in 1996 and was |
| business and advertisers love the exposure | | | | previously known as the SuperTruck Series. |
| they get. Plus, the championship prizes seem | | | | Its roots come from a display of a |
| to be attractive to many drivers. | | | | NASCAR-style pickup truck at the 1994 Daytona |
| | | | 500. |
| NASCAR is not publicly-traded on the stock | | | | |
| exchange however its major sanctioning body | | | | And the last premier event in the NASCAR |
| is International Speedway Corporation which | | | | organization is the NASCAR Busch Series which |
| is publicly traded on the NASDAQ under stock | | | | is considered to be like the minor leagues of |
| symbol ISCA. ISC owns as well as operates 11 | | | | NASCAR. |
| motor speedways plus is a major promoter of | | | | |