Bill France Sr. Gets a Letter from His Grandchildren

Dear Grandpa,

I am sure you have spoken to Papa about how things are going here on earth. It's been over a year now since Daddy passed away, so we thought you would like an update on things.

NASCAR is still growing and we are having another banner year. Our net profit for the year ending Nov. 1, 2007 was $560 million. I know you're proud.

Lesa and I are certain that our new "adjusted" entry fees for races contributed to this record profit. Last year we only charged $5,000 per race entry. Well, since most teams bring at least two cars, why not charge them an additional entry fee for the second car?

To be fair, the second car should not cost as much as the first. That's why we're charging only $4,000 for each back-up car.  

We did allow title sponsor NEXTEL their one name change. It's now Sprint. All those silly fans who bought the NEXTEL merchandise are now buying Sprint merchandise. The cash register just keeps ringing.

We now have 16 race tracks. Chicagoland and Route 66 are finally paid for. Getting those tracks was like taking candy from a baby. We lured them with the prospect of a race, so they built the tracks. 

As you know, Pa—Pa, anything NASCAR does is only for one year. No contracts, no guarantees. So we made them sweat a little, then we bought the tracks. Genius! 

Kentucky wouldn't play along with that idea, so we took away their race. Haha.

We bought 676 acres of land on Staten Island last year to build another race track. Soon we will just race at our own tracks and collect all the money.

The Labor Day race in Fontana, CA is not doing so well.

But that's okay. We just got a 10—year contract to let Auto Club put their name on the track.

Of course with all contracts and NASCAR sponsorships, we make them pay in advance. And guess what, there is no Labor Day race there next year!   

MRN is still broadcasting all our races, but here is the kicker: we now charge radio stations to carry the broadcast!

We can't broadcast all the races, though. Bruton Smith owns PRN, and uses them to broadcast at all his tracks. What a copycat!

I got a big surprise for you, Grandpa: Lesa and I are going to build a land—based hotel and casino right next door to the Kansas Speedway. We decided to do it as a joint venture with another company. This way our hands won't be dirty should anything go wrong.

Grandpa, I know how you feel about gambling. Daddy told me all about your problems in the '60s with Curtis Turner, Jimmy Hoffa, and the Teamsters.

Things are different now. The Mob isn't involved in organized gambling anymore. I hope you're not upset.

Do you know what a franchise is, Grandpa? Very soon we are going to charge every owner a franchise fee. If you want to race with NASCAR, you must buy a franchise.

To make things even more profitable, we will only sell a select number of franchises each year. No franchise, no racing. Do you hear the cash register again?

One more thing before I let you go. I just know you're gonna love this. We still do absolutely nothing for the drivers!

No retirement, no health benefits, no death benefits, no scholarships, no nothing.

We are a billion dollar corporation and we do nothing for the guys who made us what we are.

Talk about silly season.

Brilliant!

Love you, Grandpa,

Brian and Lesa

P.S. Just wondering Grandpa, are you and Daddy in smoking or non-smoking?