France at the track: NASCAR chairman Bill France, who had heart and hip surgery in August, is back at work and expected to make an appearance Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. “Bill’s doing great,” said Jim Hunter, who is NASCAR vice president of communications. “He’ll be here Sunday morning. This will be his first race since his surgery. He’s been out of the hospital now maybe three weeks. He’s doing therapy and walking again.” France, who is also chairman of International Speedway Corp., fell at a Daytona Beach restaurant on Aug. 27 and broke his hip. After being taken to an undisclosed hospital, doctors discovered a problem with France’s heart, and two days later, the racing mogul had triple bypass surgery. Less than a week later, once his condition had stabilized, France had surgery to fix his broken hip. France’s younger brother Jim said the racing chief is gaining strength and mobility every day as his recovery continues. Bill France, 69, has suffered a series of health setbacks, including a heart attack and two bouts with cancer, since 1997. Each time, he has come back to resume his duties at NASCAR and ISC.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(11-16-2002)
