Russ Spence
Commercial Pressure Wash Expert
The final victory lap begins for NASCAR trailblazer Bill France Junior.
Several hundred fans and others were expected to convene at Seabreeze United Church for a visitation Wednesday evening. Others have gathered at the speedway for France, who is credited with taking the sport from a backwoods pastime to a multibillion-dollar phenomenon.
France died at his home Monday after battling cancer for nearly a decade. He was 74.
At the speedway that the elder France literally helped build, driving a compactor, bulldozer and grader, fans left flowers at a makeshift memorial at a statue of France's parents, William and Anne France.
France took over the family business in 1972 from his father, who founded NASCAR in 1947.
A public funeral is planned today at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center. "NASCAR notables" are expected to attend the funeral, but racing officials declined to give more details.
A graveside service for relatives only will follow the funeral.
Several hundred fans and others were expected to convene at Seabreeze United Church for a visitation Wednesday evening. Others have gathered at the speedway for France, who is credited with taking the sport from a backwoods pastime to a multibillion-dollar phenomenon.
France died at his home Monday after battling cancer for nearly a decade. He was 74.
At the speedway that the elder France literally helped build, driving a compactor, bulldozer and grader, fans left flowers at a makeshift memorial at a statue of France's parents, William and Anne France.
France took over the family business in 1972 from his father, who founded NASCAR in 1947.
A public funeral is planned today at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center. "NASCAR notables" are expected to attend the funeral, but racing officials declined to give more details.
A graveside service for relatives only will follow the funeral.