Open Letter from Brian France to NASCAR fans

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France

Coming off a season in which we saw Kevin Harvick claim the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crown after a thrilling debut for the new Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup format, Chase Elliott burst on to the scene with a championship of his own and Matt Crafton repeat as champion in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, it's easy to see why many say 2014 was one of the all-time best for NASCAR.

However, I think the best is still to come.

As we embark on 2015, we are excited to start a new 10-year agreement with our great partners at FOX Sports and to welcome NBC Sports back to NASCAR. With FOX and NBC we have two world-class media companies committed to bringing NASCAR excitement to our great fans in bigger and better ways.

We could not be more thrilled to welcome Comcast's XFINITY brand as an entitlement partner for the next 10 seasons and look forward to this new era of partnership with an innovative leader in the entertainment space.

The vision for a reimagined Daytona International Speedway is taking shape and will become a reality in time for the 2016 Daytona 500. Our track partners from coast-to-coast continue to invest in the fan experience and nothing will ever compare to the live experience at the race track. We invite you to come and experience the best racing in the world live in one of these great venues.

As I look across the NASCAR landscape, I can't remember a time when the driver talent pool across our national series and into the development ranks was as deep and impressive as we have today. Couple that with the superstars we have competing at the highest level right now and it's obvious why the present and future are so exciting for NASCAR, our partners and especially the fans.

Finally, as Jeff Gordon begins his final full-time season in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, we will be watching one of the greatest race car drivers of all time chase a fifth championship. Jeff has been a great champion on the track and one of our greatest ambassadors off of it. To be sure, there will be no shortage of contenders battling for that trophy as we build throughout the season, and it's going to be a thrill for all of us to see it play out through the final laps at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.

It is an exciting time to be a NASCAR fan. On behalf of our entire team, I hope you enjoy the 2015 NASCAR season.

Best regards,

Brian France