As stock cars roared around the track, a small black Volkswagen Jetta made a slow crawl through the Daytona International Speedway garage and pulled up to the NASCAR hauler. Bill France Jr. climbed out and gingerly walked the 10 steps toward the truck. At least a dozen crew members stopped and waved. A handful of officials asked if he needed any help. Nope, NASCAR’s chairman is just fine after recent health problems and back at work keeping a watchful eye over the family business. “I’m feeling better, a lot better,” the 69-year-old France said in an interview with The Associated Press. “My hip’s a little sore, that’s it. But the way I see it, things are good because I’m on the right side of the grass.” France, the oldest son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., broke his right hip in August when he fell after misjudging a step in a Daytona restaurant. Before he could be treated for that injury, doctors insisted he have heart bypass surgery. The long recovery and a setback – one lung filled with fluid in early December – kept him away from most NASCAR functions and led to speculation that the cancer he beat in 2001 was back. A recent checkup, though, gave him a clean bill of health, he said. France is determined to look his best when he plans to make his first official appearance of the 2003 season next week at a NASCAR function at the annual media tour [in Charlotte].(See full interview story at FoxSports/AP , includes quotes about minorities, women, autographs, driver benefits)(1-16-2003)
