Former NASCAR CEO Brian France has filed a lawsuit against the operator of a parody Twitter account that goes by the name "Drunken Brian France."

The litigation was filed in Stamford, Connecticut, on Feb. 28 and alleges that user John Steele is impersonating, harassing and targeting the third-generation former NASCAR leader. The account can be found at @DrunkBrianF.

"Steele’s activity through @drunkbrianf is under the guise of (Brian France)," the suit reads. "This includes the use of (France’s) name in the account name, the account handle and the use of a photograph of (France) as the account profile picture.

"Steele’s tweets imply that (France) is the source of the content posted to the account. Steele’s use of the account is intended to deceive other Twitter users—and anyone else accessing the account while online—to believe that the account belongs to (France)."

Drunken Brian France has been active since February 2014 and has long described itself as a parody account. It occasionally provides insider speculation and opinions to over 15,000 followers.

In the lawsuit, France claims to have experienced "emotional distress" from the tweets by the account. It accused Steele of posting "highly offensive" tweets that led to "severe" emotional distress.



The suit is asking for a trial by jury and seeks damages in excess of $15,000.

Lawsuit Excerpt

Lawsuit Excerpt

Lawsuit Excerpt

France served as the sport's chief executive from 2003 until his leave of absence in 2018. France was arrested in New York on Aug. 5 of that year for DWI and drug possession. He had a blood alcohol level of 0.019% on his first reading and allegedly had five oxycodone pills in his vehicle.

When France took his leave of absence as NASCAR CEO, he was replaced by his uncle, Jim France. The younger France is the grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. and succeeded his dad, Bill France Jr., as the leader of the sanctioning body. Jim France is the oldest son of Bill France Sr.

France pleaded guilty to the charge of driving while intoxicated in June 2019 in exchange for a reduced sentence. He was eligible to withdraw that plea and have his misdemeanor DWI changed to a noncriminal violation upon the completion of 100 hours of community service. He was also ordered to attend counseling.

France recently reemerged in the business world last month as the founder of Silver Falcon Capital Inc.—a direct investment company and brand incubator for sports and entertainment properties.

France also made his first public appearance at a NASCAR event following his departure as CEO when he stepped off Air Force One alongside Donald Trump Jr. in advance of President Donald Trump’s Daytona 500 visit on Feb. 16.



The complete lawsuit can be read here.



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