Bill France Jr. left impact on people as well as business (cont'd)

"I've never seen anyone who could strike the balance that Bill did," Hendrick said. "He knew exactly what he wanted to accomplish and rarely compromised, yet always made it a point to be fair. We've lost a strong leader, a visionary businessman and a truly amazing person.

"Bill was one of the toughest guys I've ever met, but he had a soft side, too. Words cannot express how much his friendship and support meant to me and my family during the most difficult of times.

The flag at Dover flies at half-mast in remembrance of Bill France Jr.

"We shared a love for the ocean -- fishing and telling stories -- and it's those moments that I'll cherish forever."

Jack Roush, another avid racer and businessman who had bitter disputes with France and his lieutenants through his nearly two decades as a car owner, also expressed his respect.

"On behalf of everyone at Roush Fenway Racing I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the entire France family during this difficult time," Roush said. "Bill France Jr. had the vision, tenacity and business savvy to grow NASCAR from a regional sport into the worldwide sensation that it is today.

"He set NASCAR apart from the other sports with his leadership and ability to give the fans what they wanted -- great racing. He will truly be missed."

It was ironic that France died on a day in which NASCAR's lead division, the Nextel Cup Series, raced a rained-out event in a half-full stadium at Dover International Speedway.

While nothing could save Sunday's Autism Speaks 400, Monday was blessed with a day that in Florida -- particularly during February's annual Speedweeks -- was often referred to as "Bill France weather."

That tag was in deference, of course, to Big Bill the father; but denoted a magic that seemingly had transferred to "Billy," the son.

But there was nothing mystical about what France has wrought. He achieved it through tremendous insight gained through hands-on toil and time spent.

Denis McGlynn, Dover's president and CEO and a man whose career growth in motorsports came in the same period in which Bill France shepherded NASCAR from a lightly regarded regional pastime to a nationally renowned sports and marketing juggernaut, was well-positioned to reflect on France's impact after Monday's race.

"There won't be another Bill France, I don't think," McGlynn said. "It sounds like a cliche, but so many of us in this industry -- like myself -- have a career because of the decisions that Bill made at certain points along the way; and we have an enterprise, now, that's very viable and thriving.

"[Dover Motorsports] owns multiple tracks, and none of that would have happened without a guy like Bill.

"He played a unique role in keeping all the moving parts in NASCAR and around that core in harmony with each other -- and everybody got a chance to get a bite out of the apple, as he used to say, so that everyone stayed healthy and we were all better off in the end."

McGlynn was one of many who claimed France had taught vital lessons.

"The last memory I'll take from Bill came from a conversation we were having about NASCAR, and how you keep it all together," said McGlynn, who was Dover's PR man when Billy France ascended to NASCAR's throne, in January 1972. "He said the strangest thing, for a guy who was in the position he was in -- he absolutely ruled our sector of motorsports and could do whatever he wanted -- and it was a remarkable piece of pragmatism from a guy who didn't need to throw it out there. (Continued)