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Quite literally as long as there has been NASCAR, there have been women leading the way in various outlets in roles both formal and behind and scenes. Their leadership has affected the sport and benefitted participants on a number of levels.
These women represent the executive level of the sport, where they have created strong, necessary initiatives, served as valuable liaisons and led the way for NASCAR’s presence as a major American sport.
Anne B. France
Clearly a supporter of NASCAR from the very beginning, France worked alongside her husband and NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. She handled the financial obligations and paperwork while her husband first organized and promoted the sport.
In fact, Mrs. France was the first secretary and treasurer of NASCAR and later held the same positions with International Speedway Corporation. Additionally she ran the Daytona International Speedway ticket office and worked tirelessly at these important endeavors right up until her death in 1992.
Betty Jane France
So much of modern NASCAR's charitable efforts are because of the hard work and dedication to the sport from Betty Jane France, the widow of the late Bill France Jr.
Her generous spirit and commitment to raising money for healthcare facilities – particularly for children – has set the standard for generosity and can-do in the sport.
She has received multiple awards and recognition for her great work including the 2003 Halifax Medical Center Foundation's Spirit Award. And she is the chairwoman for The NASCAR Foundation, which was founded in 2004. The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award was created in her honor in 2011 and each year she formally announces the winner, which is another wonderful volunteer following in her generous spirit.
MORE: The NASCAR Foundation | Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award
Jill Gregory
A recognizable and inspiring woman, Jill Gregory currently leads the NASCAR Marketing and Industry Services sectors – overseeing some of the sport's most vital initiatives.
Her experience in all facets of NASCAR make her a valuable asset and an inspiration to so many. She has been the driving force behind the sport's successful and varied marketing campaigns and was a key member of the group that developed the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format in 2014.