NASCAR Chief Charged with Driving Drunk

The chief executive officer of NASCAR was arrested Sunday evening in Sag Harbor after a traffic stop at the intersection of Main and Wharf Streets, near Long Wharf, according to the police. Brian Z. France, 56, of Ormond Beach, FL., was driving a 2017 Lexus when he allegedly ran a stop sign at the intersection with Bay Street, leading to a traffic stop. France failed sobriety tests and was charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated, the police said.

At headquarters on Division Street, a breath test indicated a percentage of alcohol in the blood of 0.18 or 1 percent or higher, triggering an elevated charge of aggravated DWI. Police said they also found France to be in possession of Oxycodone, an opioid. He was charged with misdemeanor criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was held overnight, and was released without bail after being arraigned Monday.

“Brian France has taken an indefinite leave of absence from NASCAR as chairman and chief executive officer,” NASCAR said in a statement Monday afternoon.