Racing World Mourns Loss Of Winston-Salem Native Betty Jane France

Betty Jane France, a Piedmont Triad native known as the "First Lady Of NASCAR," has died.

France was born Betty Jane Zachary in Winston-­Salem, which is where she met her husband, former NASCAR Chairman Bill France, Jr.
 The couple relocated to Daytona Beach, Fla., where she became known as a steadfast champion of health care for children.

Fox 8 News reports that at the time of her death, France was a chairperson of the non­profit NASCAR Foundation, and an executive for the racing empire.


She was also honorary co-­chairperson for the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma, a project in Winston-­Salem headed by longtime NASCAR team owner Richard Childress.

The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award was created in her honor in 2011. Through the NASCAR Foundation, the award recognizes outstanding charitable and volunteer efforts of racing fans.

Her son, Brian France, is the current chairman and CEO of NASCAR.