Betty Jane France, considered by many as the “First Lady of NASCAR,” has died, according to the NASCAR Foundation. She died Monday night.

  • Betty Jane France died Monday night
  • She is considered the 'First Lady of NASCAR'

A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, France is the widow of the late NASCAR Chairman and CEO William France. Her son Brian France is the current chairman and CEO, while her daughter Lesa France Kennedy is the CEO of the International Speedway Corporation.

“Last night, the NASCAR family lost a mother, a grandmother, a friend and the light that guided the sport’s charitable arm,” Brian France said in a statement. “My mother taught us incredible values, that of love, patience, compassion and joy. She embraced life every day, and nothing fueled her passion more than children. Her unmatched efforts in building The NASCAR Foundation improved the lives of millions of children throughout this country. And because of that, her legacy will live forever.”

Before her death, France was the executive vice president and assistant treasurer of NASCAR. She was also the chairwoman of the NASCAR foundation.

France was also very involved in the Daytona Beach community, especially when it came to children. She assisted in the establishment of the “Speediactrics” children’s care unit at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach.

Many in the NASCAR community took to social media to offer their condolences.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the France family on the passing of Betty Jane France, the First Lady of NASCAR,” XFINITY Racing wrote in a tweet.