NATIONWIDE -- NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France is taking an indefinite leave of absence, the company said, after he was arrested and charged with DWI and criminal possession of oxycodone.
- NASCAR Chairman, CEO Brian France arrested Sunday night
- He's been charged with criminal oxycodone possession, DWI
- Jim France taking over as interim head of NASCAR
The Associated Press reported that France, 56, was stopped by police Sunday night in Sag Harbor, N.Y. after his Lexus ran a stop sign, police said, who added that officers suspected intoxication during the stop and found pills during a subsequent search.
France was arraigned Monday and released, AP said.
NASCAR told AP that it takes France's arrest "as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts."
On Monday afternoon, NASCAR said vice-chairman Jim France would take over as interim chairman and chief executive officer from Brian France, who would go on indefinite leave.
Jim France is Brian's uncle.
The move is effective immediately. NASCAR made no further comment on Brian France's arrest.
TMZ was the first to report France's arrest.
France, born in Daytona Beach, has led NASCAR since 2003, when his father, Bill France Jr., died. He's the grandson of NASCAR cofounder Bill France Sr.