William "Bill" France, Jr. (April 4,1933-June 4,2007) was the former CEO of NASCAR, son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and father of Brian France. In 2003 he retired allowing his son Brian to take over. In 1999 he was diagnosed with lung cancer, he underwent treatment but was never fully cured. He died on June 7,2007 during the Autism Speaks 400 at the age of 74.