NASCAR CEO, Chairman pleads guilty to driving drunk in NY Hamptons last year

HAMPTONS, N.Y. — NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France pleaded guilty Friday to driving drunk in the New York Hamptons last year.

Officials said France will have to complete 100 hours of community service and go through alcohol counseling.

If he meets the requirements, the charge will be reduced to a traffic violation.

Sag Harbor Village Police said they arrested France around last August after he was seen driving a 2017 Lexus through a stop sign.

He was charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and criminal possession of a controlled substance, according to a police department news release.

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Officers said after a search of France due to a lawful arrest, they discovered France to be in possession of oxycodone pills.

According to a TMZ report, France's blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

Following his arrest, France took a leave of absence from his role at NASCAR.

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“Brian France has taken an indefinite leave of absence from NASCAR as chairman and chief executive officer. Effective immediately, NASCAR Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Jim France has assumed the role of interim chairman and chief executive officer.”

France, 56, is the grandson of NASCAR founder William H.G. France and son of Bill France Jr.

He has been CEO of NASCAR since 2003.

France also released a statement after he was arrested last year:

“I apologize to our fans, our industry and my family for the impact of my actions last night. Effective immediately, I will be taking an indefinite leave of absence from my position to focus on my personal affairs.”

Cox Media Group