Author, Neal Thompson, in his documentary, "Driving With the Devil" makes an excellent observation with far-reaching consequences. In fact, the history of big-time stock car racing, for the next 50 plus years was the result.In the boom years of post World War II, Bill France (Sr.) was but one player on the stage of American stock car racing. Among the many fledling sanctioning bodies, competition abounded and driver loyalty was a constant and moving target. The success of France and others, in the new field of stock cars, had attracted the interest of the AAA, 800 lb gorrilla at the time, and it's flashy stock car liason/promoter Sam Nunis. Nunis was once the announcer on the beach-road course for France, but the two would forever be bitter rivals. In addition to Nunis and the AAA was a brash upstart 22 year old used car salesman from Charlotte, NC, Bruton Smith. Bruton was president of the National Championship Stock Car Racing Association (NCSCRA) (I may have the acronym wrong, but it's close).The final outcome on who would be top dog, was anything but clear. Smith and France had even had preliminary talks about the possiblilty of merging their respective groups. BUT, North Korea invaded their southern brethren and the Korean war was on, and guess who got drafted into military service? Right, O. Bruton Smith. According to Thompson, when Smith returned to Charlotte, two years later, his racing association was in tatters and ruins: mismanagement, in-fighting, poor descisons, had delt a death blow. And, most importantly, Bill France was no longer interested in merging, or anything else.But, the story a'int over yet. O. Bruton has done a thing or two in the world of racing, Big Bill and Bill Jr. are no longer with us, and who knows how all of this will ultimately play out.