France received the award, given "for outstanding service to road racing," from RRDC President Bobby Rahal, the 1981 co-winner of this weekend's Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The Road Racing Drivers Club was created in 1962 with a goal of serving the future of road racing, on both amateur and professional levels, by mentoring new drivers.

The RRDC now has more than 150 active members. Rahal is also co-owner of the 2004 Indianapolis 500 winning team, along with David Letterman, and the 1986  Indy 500" winner.

Phil Hill, in 1961, became the first American to win the Formula 1 World Championship.  Among his international wins is the 1964 Daytona 2000Km race, precursor to the Rolex 24.

"The RRDC is honoring Jim France because of his enthusiasm to put ISC's weight behind the Grand American Road Racing Association's future, and to conceive Grand Am's Daytona Prototype class of cars," Rahal said.

"The more than 30 Daytona Prototypes on the grid for today's race is the first time in the modern history of the Rolex 24 that this many cars have competed in the event's showcase category.

"For Mr. France's efforts to rejuvenate this famous race with a new class of cars which are fast, affordable and good-looking, we feel he is more than deserving of this honor," Rahal said.

Jim France is a son of William H. G. France who founded NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway, seeing both grow into the headliners of American auto racing.

Jim started his ISC career parking spectator cars and selling tickets at the gates. He was elected to the ISC Board of Directors in 1970, named to the NASCAR Board of Directors in 2000, and became ISC's C.E.O. in 2003.

RRDC members competing in today's Rolex 24 include previous overall winners Hurley Haywood, Butch Leitzinger, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, and Rob Dyson; plus class winners Boris Said and Paul Newman. Brumos Porsche team owner Bob Snodgrass is also a member.