In June 1998, the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) National Convention was held for the first and to date only time in Richmond, Virginia.
1998 was the 50th Anniversary of NASCAR and the 50th Anniversary of NASCAR racing at Richmond International Raceway. Red Byron won the first-ever NASCAR race in the Commonwealth of Virginia on May 16, 1948 - a NASCAR Modified event on the old 1/2-mile dirt Richmond track.
In 1998 I was the Media Relations Director of Richmond International Raceway and I was approached by the host committee, chaired by the Richmond paper's Sports Editor, inquiring as to whether I might be able to arrange for NASCAR President Bill France, Jr. to deliver the keynote address to a group that had only heard from stick & ball sports execs over the years.
Bill, Jr. (whose father, Bill Sr. used to race open wheel cars at an earlier Richmond Fairgrounds dirt track in the 1930s) graciously agreed to become the first stock car racing personality to address this prestigious group of the top sports editors from all over the country.
One statement made by Mr. France to the convention attendees has long remained in my logbook of referred to quotes. Here's what Bill, Jr. said 14 years ago and to which I am afraid the 3rd generation of Family France has failed to adhere. What do you think?
As reported in the Orlando Sentinel:
France talk - NASCAR president Bill France told the Associated Press Sports Editors convention in Richmond, Va., the sport has to be careful not to abuse its current boom and soaring popularity.
"If we grow too fast, I don't think we are smart enough to handle it," France said. "My father (NASCAR founder Bill France Sr.) used to have a saying, `Too much of almost anything is bad.' "
--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
