Anne B. France

Anne Bledsoe was born in Nathan's Creek, a tiny North Carolina mountain community, in 1904. She was in Washington, D.C., studying to become a nurse when she met Washington native Bill France. He was also a student and part-time bank clerk. They met at a dance at Children's Hospital in the nation's capital, and were married in 1931. They arrived in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 1934.

Anne France, an expert at figures, finance and general business procedure, played a huge role in her husband's business enterprises. He organized and promoted races and she took care of business.

She first served as secretary and treasurer of NASCAR, and when Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959, she served in the same roles for International Speedway Corporation.

She also managed the speedway's ticket office. She remained active in family and business life until her passing in 1992.

"My brother, Jim and I can readily attest that dad had his vision and dreams. But make no bones about it, mom was his reality," said NASCAR chairman of the board Bill France of his parents' partnership.

"While he was climbing to reach lofty goals, mom firmly held the ladder and provided him with a rock-solid foundation. Vision, dreams and reality. This is the true legacy they left."