Drivers pay tribute to France

"It's a profound loss for the sport," said Dale Earnhardt Jr. "His Dad really started NASCAR, but he's the one probably most responsible for the state of our sport today.

"He's one of those giants - very intimidating to me. I didn't know him well, but my dad was close with him, and I know that made my dad very, very proud to get close to someone that not a lot of others did."

NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Jeff Gordon said France would have liked the race to carry on as it did.

"Well, if you were thinking about Bill at that time, I think he would have been really upset if they would have thrown a red flag for him," he said. "I'm pretty sure they did what he would have asked for.

"I can remember going to his father's funeral and at that time, seeing Bill junior just come along and just take a hold of this sport and take it to the next level. He was a real soft-hearted guy who had a real hard shell on the outside," Gordon added.

"He ran things with an iron fist, but he had a passion for this sport that a lot of people maybe didn't get a chance to see. You don't see it very often. I loved being around him. He's one of those guys you always wanted to listen to."

Former Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart also expressed his sadness at the news of France's death.

"It's just sad," he said. "You look at what he's been able to do in the time he's been with NASCAR and obviously learning from his father.

"There aren't enough words to describe what he's meant to this sport and what he's done for it. I guarantee it's the biggest loss in racing since Dale Earnhardt, and probably bigger."

Meanwhile, reigning Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson was in shock when he learned the news once he finished racing at Dover.

"I just found out minutes ago, so I don't think I've had time to process it yet," Johnson said. "I just really don't know what to say right now."

Flags were half-mast at Dover International Raceway since the news of France Jr's death broke while the NASCAR Nextel Cup race was running.