DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Perhaps the only thing more striking about Betty Jane France than her perpetual smile was the vast size of her compassionate heart.
Married to the late NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr., Betty Jane was interested in more than just running the family's famous racing business, although she helped with that, too. She was equally as concerned with caring for the people in the business -- and beyond.
That was evident in the many personal relationships she held so dearly and the people she would touch through decades of devotion raising money for charitable works.
France, who passed away Monday, was the mother of NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy. She touched countless lives with her commitment to children's causes, such as the "Speediatrics" children's care unit at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach -- where a bronze statue of her likeness stands just outside the hospital tower that bears her family's name -- and at Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Florida.
Married to the late NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr., Betty Jane was interested in more than just running the family's famous racing business, although she helped with that, too. She was equally as concerned with caring for the people in the business -- and beyond.
That was evident in the many personal relationships she held so dearly and the people she would touch through decades of devotion raising money for charitable works.
France, who passed away Monday, was the mother of NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France and International Speedway Corporation CEO Lesa France Kennedy. She touched countless lives with her commitment to children's causes, such as the "Speediatrics" children's care unit at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach -- where a bronze statue of her likeness stands just outside the hospital tower that bears her family's name -- and at Homestead Hospital in Homestead, Florida.
Betty Jane France (right) with son Brian, Chairman & CEO of NASCAR, and his wife, Amy.
She also was named chairwoman of the NASCAR Foundation upon its inception in 2006, leading and shepherding the organization's massive good works, which includes donating $25 million to more than one million children over the past 10 years. And she is so aptly the namesake for the sport's prestigious Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award for outstanding charitable and volunteer efforts of NASCAR fans
On Thursday in Daytona Beach, France will be remembered for a life of philanthropy and compassion that literally touched thousands of souls and inspired countless more. Her legacy will be both celebrated and revered for the impact it has made and will inspire going forward.
"She was ahead of her time," said Rick Hendrick, the France family's longtime friend and NASCAR team owner. "Back then in the beginning, you just didn't see people reaching out with a cause or organizing everyone to get behind it. The money Betty Jane raised is one thing, but the awareness is sometimes more important than the money is. So she made a point to let people know there is a need there. She'd show up and be right in the middle of it, she didn't just let people use her name.
"People can give money or give a check, but when you walk in and see the situation first-hand, the faces of the people you touched, you know the stories. That means something to you and that really needs to be your legacy in life, that you are a caring, giving person that looked after others.
"I'd think that would be the legacy you'd want to live by. And she did."
Like Hendrick, legendary team owner Richard Childress was also a decades-long friend of the Frances, having come from the same part of North Carolina -- the city of Winston-Salem -- as Betty Jane herself. Childress and his wife, Judy, and the Frances traveled together frequently over the years and were close confidantes.
"She's going to be missed so greatly not only for all her giving, but the kindness she shared with everyone anytime you met her," Childress said. "She was the kindest, classiest lady I've ever met.
"Even in the hard times, she managed to pull that Betty Jane smile out."
As much as she considered all of NASCAR to be her dear family, France was particularly proud of her own. Daughter Lesa France Kennedy runs the family's International Speedway Corporation, and son Brian is NASCAR's Chairman & CEO, just as his father and grandfather were before him.
"Last night, the NASCAR family lost a mother, a grandmother, a friend and the light that guided the sport's charitable arm," Brian France said Tuesday. "My mother taught us incredible values, that of love, patience, compassion and joy. She embraced life every day, and nothing fueled her passion more than children. Her unmatched efforts in building The NASCAR Foundation improved the lives of millions of children throughout this country. And because of that, her legacy will live forever.
"My father leaned on my mother throughout his life, relying on her wisdom and calming demeanor to help grow the sport of NASCAR. She was there, every step of the way. When we lost my father (in 2007), her positive presence remained, as she used her immense skill to grow NASCAR's heart and soul, The NASCAR Foundation.
"Our family thanks you for all of your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. My mother was a special woman, and an impressive person, and she will be dearly missed."
On Thursday in Daytona Beach, France will be remembered for a life of philanthropy and compassion that literally touched thousands of souls and inspired countless more. Her legacy will be both celebrated and revered for the impact it has made and will inspire going forward.
"She was ahead of her time," said Rick Hendrick, the France family's longtime friend and NASCAR team owner. "Back then in the beginning, you just didn't see people reaching out with a cause or organizing everyone to get behind it. The money Betty Jane raised is one thing, but the awareness is sometimes more important than the money is. So she made a point to let people know there is a need there. She'd show up and be right in the middle of it, she didn't just let people use her name.
"People can give money or give a check, but when you walk in and see the situation first-hand, the faces of the people you touched, you know the stories. That means something to you and that really needs to be your legacy in life, that you are a caring, giving person that looked after others.
"I'd think that would be the legacy you'd want to live by. And she did."
Like Hendrick, legendary team owner Richard Childress was also a decades-long friend of the Frances, having come from the same part of North Carolina -- the city of Winston-Salem -- as Betty Jane herself. Childress and his wife, Judy, and the Frances traveled together frequently over the years and were close confidantes.
"She's going to be missed so greatly not only for all her giving, but the kindness she shared with everyone anytime you met her," Childress said. "She was the kindest, classiest lady I've ever met.
"Even in the hard times, she managed to pull that Betty Jane smile out."
As much as she considered all of NASCAR to be her dear family, France was particularly proud of her own. Daughter Lesa France Kennedy runs the family's International Speedway Corporation, and son Brian is NASCAR's Chairman & CEO, just as his father and grandfather were before him.
"Last night, the NASCAR family lost a mother, a grandmother, a friend and the light that guided the sport's charitable arm," Brian France said Tuesday. "My mother taught us incredible values, that of love, patience, compassion and joy. She embraced life every day, and nothing fueled her passion more than children. Her unmatched efforts in building The NASCAR Foundation improved the lives of millions of children throughout this country. And because of that, her legacy will live forever.
"My father leaned on my mother throughout his life, relying on her wisdom and calming demeanor to help grow the sport of NASCAR. She was there, every step of the way. When we lost my father (in 2007), her positive presence remained, as she used her immense skill to grow NASCAR's heart and soul, The NASCAR Foundation.
"Our family thanks you for all of your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. My mother was a special woman, and an impressive person, and she will be dearly missed."
Betty Jane France surprised grandson Ben Kennedy by celebrating with him at the shop following his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series win at Bristol Motor Speedway.
As timing would somehow graciously have it, one of the final things France did was celebrate her grandson Ben Kennedy's maiden NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory two weeks ago at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Kennedy's win marked the first time a member of the France family has won a NASCAR national series race. Last week Betty Jane France flew up to the team's North Carolina shop to revel in the moment with her grandson.
"What was really special was my mom and my grandma and a bunch of other people coming up to surprise me," Kennedy said. "I was totally surprised. I kind of thought my mom might come, but I had no idea my grandma was going to be there, so to have her there to help celebrate at the victory dinner was something I'll never forget.
"It was really special to not only see her but on such a very high note in such great spirits."
Kennedy proudly acknowledges and appreciates what France's leadership has meant to the sport he so loves. But she was first and foremost a loving, encouraging grandmother to him.
"At the end of the day, she's family and meant a lot to me, my mom and my uncle and my entire family," Kennedy said. "It's definitely unfortunate to lose her, but we all know she's in a better place and I'm so thankful for having the time I got to spend with her throughout my life. I'm 24 years old now and I got to spend 24 years around her and getting to know her.
"She was always smiling, always in a good mood. I can't even really think of a moment she wasn't in a good mood or having a good time. And she was so funny. She could carry on for hours making everyone around the table laugh. She was always in good spirits. I don't think I ever saw her without a smile on her face at some point."
It's a shared sentiment by all those that interacted with France.
Some of her longtime friends may remember her life-changing time as "Miss Bowman Gray" -- a 1957 competition which qualified her to enter a "Miss NASCAR" contest. She had been recruited by none other than a young Bill France Jr., who signed her up for the competition shortly after meeting her.
They dated, and married seven months later.
And as the story famously goes, France's father "Big Bill" France told people that Betty Jane "didn't win 'Miss NASCAR,' but she did win NASCAR."
"Actually, both Bill Sr. and my Bill picked that phrase up and would use it. They both thought it was so endearing," Betty Jane said in Herb Branham's book, "Bill France Jr.: The Man Who Made NASCAR."
Kennedy's win marked the first time a member of the France family has won a NASCAR national series race. Last week Betty Jane France flew up to the team's North Carolina shop to revel in the moment with her grandson.
"What was really special was my mom and my grandma and a bunch of other people coming up to surprise me," Kennedy said. "I was totally surprised. I kind of thought my mom might come, but I had no idea my grandma was going to be there, so to have her there to help celebrate at the victory dinner was something I'll never forget.
"It was really special to not only see her but on such a very high note in such great spirits."
Kennedy proudly acknowledges and appreciates what France's leadership has meant to the sport he so loves. But she was first and foremost a loving, encouraging grandmother to him.
"At the end of the day, she's family and meant a lot to me, my mom and my uncle and my entire family," Kennedy said. "It's definitely unfortunate to lose her, but we all know she's in a better place and I'm so thankful for having the time I got to spend with her throughout my life. I'm 24 years old now and I got to spend 24 years around her and getting to know her.
"She was always smiling, always in a good mood. I can't even really think of a moment she wasn't in a good mood or having a good time. And she was so funny. She could carry on for hours making everyone around the table laugh. She was always in good spirits. I don't think I ever saw her without a smile on her face at some point."
It's a shared sentiment by all those that interacted with France.
Some of her longtime friends may remember her life-changing time as "Miss Bowman Gray" -- a 1957 competition which qualified her to enter a "Miss NASCAR" contest. She had been recruited by none other than a young Bill France Jr., who signed her up for the competition shortly after meeting her.
They dated, and married seven months later.
And as the story famously goes, France's father "Big Bill" France told people that Betty Jane "didn't win 'Miss NASCAR,' but she did win NASCAR."
"Actually, both Bill Sr. and my Bill picked that phrase up and would use it. They both thought it was so endearing," Betty Jane said in Herb Branham's book, "Bill France Jr.: The Man Who Made NASCAR."
Endearing would be an appropriate word to describe Betty Jane France as well. She was endearing and engaging -- important attributes in a life so often spent bettering the lives of others.
"She was very elegant, very respectful and never met a stranger," said NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton, who had also known France for years. "I think there's a lot of things that we take for granted today that Betty Jane was very impactful in creating, like a culture of NASCAR in the days of growing the sport. She was very much alongside Bill Jr. on a lot of steps along the way.
"Betty Jane was very significant in keeping us all planted and reminding us to be good citizens in the community we were in and inside our organizations."
As Hendrick described her, "She was such a real positive person and I never heard her talking about the down times, or woe is me. She saw everything through a positive light and she had a big heart that wanted to take care of others."
If there is a common theme in remembering France, it was her genuine zest for life. She showed how a smile can ease a heart and make a friend. She showed that generosity and concern could make a true difference.
In that regard, Betty Jane France made a true difference that will carry long into the future, both inside NASCAR and beyond.
"She was very elegant, very respectful and never met a stranger," said NASCAR Vice Chairman Mike Helton, who had also known France for years. "I think there's a lot of things that we take for granted today that Betty Jane was very impactful in creating, like a culture of NASCAR in the days of growing the sport. She was very much alongside Bill Jr. on a lot of steps along the way.
"Betty Jane was very significant in keeping us all planted and reminding us to be good citizens in the community we were in and inside our organizations."
As Hendrick described her, "She was such a real positive person and I never heard her talking about the down times, or woe is me. She saw everything through a positive light and she had a big heart that wanted to take care of others."
If there is a common theme in remembering France, it was her genuine zest for life. She showed how a smile can ease a heart and make a friend. She showed that generosity and concern could make a true difference.
In that regard, Betty Jane France made a true difference that will carry long into the future, both inside NASCAR and beyond.
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