Revisionist Racing History in K&N Bowman Gray News Release - Who Is That Other France??

We constantly talk on this site about revisionist racing history and "newcomers" not having an appreciation for the history of the sport.

I about dropped my coffee when I read a K&N Pro Series News Release about the history of Bowman Gray Stadium racing.

Click on the link and see if you have ever heard of Alvin Hawkins' partner as named in the opening of the K&N release. I always thought it was a different France!

http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=3300

Our Mission

Posted by Jeff Gilder on March 4, 2012

RacersReunion has been created to preserve and celebrate racing history.

Think we could get Jeff to add the word "Correct" in that line?

This is likely written by a younger writer whose readings (or memory of such)of NASCAR history is not quite accurate. NASCAR wouldn't exist had it not been for Bill France, Sr. - and I believe Bill France,Jr. did a pretty decent job of promoting & growing the sport, but there is one huge difference between those two Frances & Brian France. The two earlier Frances were both racers at some point in their lives and likely made decisions from a "racer's mind" point-of-view. To my knowledge, Brian France never even sat behind the wheel of a race car, and I believe that many of the NASCAR decisions made during the 'Brian Era' reflect this "different" point of view. Although I see some recent improved racing, I believe there are still many parts of NASCAR which are broken and need to be fixed. Brian France should be paying more attention to the "former" core group of veteran fans and maybe, just maybe, he would start to see more warm bodies in those empty seats & TV ratings start to improve.

Ernest, I can't imagine many longtime race fans would disagree with one single thing you state in your post.

I drove at BG about 15 times in the early 50s and Bill France Jr's main job was sweeping the track after the Heat Races.

His dad taught him from the ground up.

To bad Big Bill was not around to teach Brian.