NASCAR CEO Brian France takes leave of absence after DUI arrest

NASCAR CEO Brian France was arrested Sunday night on Long Island for driving under the influence and criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Sag Harbor Village police said France's blood alcohol levels were twice the legal limit, he was in possession of oxycodone pills, and he had difficulty keeping his balance during a sobriety test, The Guardian reports. France, 56, was released from jail on Monday morning, and has a court appearance scheduled for Sept. 14.

"We are aware of an incident that occurred last night and are in the process of gathering information," NASCAR said in a statement. "We take this as a serious matter and will issue a statement after we have all of the facts." France's grandfather, William H.G. France, founded NASCAR in 1948, and he became CEO in 2003.

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