East Tennessee State University Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University Electronic Theses and Dissertations Student Works 5-2020 Leadership Styles of Head NASCAR Executives: A Historical Perspective Joseph A. Hurd East Tennessee State University Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd Part of the Educational Leadership Commons, Leadership Studies Commons, and the Sports Studies Commons Recommended Citation Hurd, Joseph A., "Leadership Styles of Head NASCAR Executives: A Historical Perspective" (2020). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3705. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3705 This Dissertation - Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Works at Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Leadership Styles of Head NASCAR Executives: A Historical Perspective _____________________________________ A dissertation presented to The faculty of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis East Tennessee State University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership ______________________________________ by Joseph Aaron Hurd May 2020 ____________________________________ Dr. Don Good, Chair Dr. Bill Flora Dr. Virginia Foley Dr. Tom Lee Keywords: NASCAR, Autocratic Leadership, Bill France, Brian France, Jim France ABSTRACT Leadership Styles of Head NASCAR Executives: A Historical Perspective by Joseph Aaron Hurd This study sought to explore the leadership styles and theories employed throughout the existence of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). The research examines the decision process and subsequent outcomes, exploring how they ultimately affected the business and trajectory of the sport. NASCAR is the product of unique and specific characteristics of racing enthusiasts who turned their passion into an international empire. This illustrates how leadership styles, specifically dictatorial leadership, successfully managed decisions of the business. Through the use of qualitative research to review historical accounts of events, this study strives to explain how leadership guided the business from small beginnings to a worldwide phenomenon. Data collected included document review, observations, and an interview. Synthesis of the data showed that each of the four primary leaders (Bill France Sr., Bill France Jr., Brain France, and Jim France) used the autocratic/dictatorial leadership style as they directed the sport. Historical evidence shows that this style of leadership was required to build the sport and move it to its current recognized level. Recommendations for further study encourage future scholars to revisit the long-term impact of Brian France’s leadership once more time has passed since his negatively charged removal from 2 the leadership position. Researchers would need to also examine the leadership of Jim France because at the time of this study he has been in his leadership position for less than two years. 3 Copyright 2020 by Joseph Aaron Hurd All Rights Reserved 4 DEDICATION To Crystal, who inspired me to reach for more. She is the love of my life, best friend, and truly an extension of myself. To my parents for their love and always being there to pick me back up. To my in-laws for their support. For my savior Christ, to better myself for your cause. 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to thank my professors that have poured into me over this long journey. I have experienced amazing educators that have changed my life. Without David Matlock (even though he may not remember) and a rock show, I wouldn't have ever made it out of community college. Without Dr. Blanche O’Bannon, I may have never realized the dream of being a Tennessee Vol. My committee members for their willingness to serve on this project when it might not have fit their norm for dissertation service: Dr. Don Good, Dr. Bill Flora, Dr. Tom Lee, and Dr. Virginia Foley. I hold you each in great esteem. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................... 2 DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................ 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ 6 Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................................. 10 Perspectives on Leadership ................................................................................................... 11 Purpose of the Study .............................................................................................................. 13 Research Questions................................................................................................................ 13 Significance of the Study ....................................................................................................... 13 Key Organizations ................................................................................................................. 14 Overview of the Study ........................................................................................................... 15 Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature................................................................................... 16 Sports Leadership .................................................................................................................. 16 Sports Business ...................................................................................................................... 27 Related Business Leadership ................................................................................................. 30 NASCAR and Leadership ..................................................................................................... 32 Historical Perspective of NASCAR ...................................................................................... 35 Autocratic Leadership Theory and NASCAR ....................................................................... 37 Great Man Leadership Theory and NASCAR ....................................................................... 42 Business Leadership and NASCAR ...................................................................................... 42 Chapter Summary .................................................................................................................. 44 Chapter 3: Methodology............................................................................................................ 45 7 Research Questions................................................................................................................ 45 Qualitative Design ................................................................................................................. 45 Role of the Researcher ........................................................................................................... 47 Ethics ..................................................................................................................................... 49 Setting .................................................................................................................................... 49 Sampling Strategy.................................................................................................................. 50 Sample ................................................................................................................................... 50 Data Collection Procedures ................................................................................................... 51 Document Analysis ............................................................................................................ 52 Interview ............................................................................................................................ 54 Data Management .................................................................................................................. 56 Measures of Rigor ................................................................................................................. 57 Credibility .......................................................................................................................... 57 Triangulation. ................................................................................................................. 58 Member Checking .......................................................................................................... 58 Dependability ................................................................................................................. 58 Code-Recode Strategy .................................................................................................... 59 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 59 Chapter Summary .................................................................................................................. 60 Chapter 4: Results ....................................................................................................................