William Henry Getty France - Ormond Beach, Florida. - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

William H. G. “Big Bill” France was born in Washington D. C. on September 26, 1909 and developed a love for auto racing while watching Model T’s racing in Laurel, Maryland. In 1934 he moved his family to Daytona Beach, Florida where his love of racing intensified after watching cars race on the old Daytona Beach Course. These races were largely unorganized and over the years Bill saw an opportunity to capitalize on these races. On December 14, 1947, in the rooftop bar at the Streamline Hotel, Bill France met with drivers, promoters, and other interested parties. When these meetings ended, The National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing was born. From 1947 until 1972, under the leadership of “Big Bill,” NASCAR grew into a multi-billion-dollar industry, building tracks like Daytona and Talladega and the birth of what is known as the Great American Race, the Daytona 500. In 1972 “Big Bill” passed the NASCAR torch to his son William C. “Bill” France, Jr. William H. G. “Big Bill” France was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2010. He died on June 7, 1992 and is buried in the Hillside Cemetery in Ormond Beach, Florida.
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Description: William Henry Getty France was born on September 26, 1909 near Washington, D. C. As a teenager he would often skip school to watch the Model T’s race at a track in Laurel, Maryland. His love for racing only intensified when he moved his family to Daytona Beach, Florida around 1934 where cars were permitted to race on the Beach. France made several attempts to get the city or other promoters to organize the races with out success so in 1947 he decided to do it himself. On December 14, 1947, William “Big Bill” France called a meeting of several drivers, promoters and other interested parties. The meeting took place in the roof top bar of the Streamline Hotel and over the next couple of day the group formed the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing which is today simply known as NASCAR. Over the next 25-years, under his leadership, NASCAR grew into the most popular form of motorsports in the world. The success of NASCAR saw the formation of International Speedway Corporation, and the constructions of the Daytona International Speedway and the birth of the Great American Race, The Daytona 500. In 1972, “Big Bill” retired and turned control of NASCAR over to his son William C. “Bill” France, Jr. For the next 20 years “Big Bill” was as NASCAR under the leadership of his son continue to grow and reach a popularity that no one would have would have deem possible at that meeting way back in 1947. “Big Bill” France died on June 7, 1992 and is resting in the Hillside Cemetery in Ormond Beach, Florida. Date of birth: 09/26/1909 Date of death: 06/07/1992 Area of notoriety: Sports Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Dawn to Dusk Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log   03/26/2019 hart612 visited it