Bill France Jr., the man who helped build Daytona International Speedway and built NASCAR into a nationwide billion-dollar conglomerate, died Monday at his Daytona Beach, Fla. home. France had been diagnosed with cancer in 1999 -- he never publicly disclosed any details about his disease -- and had been in poor health for much of the past 10 years. He was 74.

"He had a remarkable career and an even more remarkable life," said his son, Brian France, who replaced him as chairman in 2003. "Words cannot express how much he'll be missed by myself and the rest of our family and by the NASCAR industry overall."

France spent 31 years as NASCAR chairman and earned himself a reputation as a benevolent dictator. He rarely compromised yet always did what was best for NASCAR. France's passing is a huge loss for the sport.

His name is not really Brian -- that's just the character actor Barry Watson plays on the ABC TV show What About Brian that just ended its season on March 26.

I really like this show. The network calls it a contemporary, heartwarming ensemble drama that continues to tell the stories of a group of close-knit friends in various stages of romantic relationships and friendships living in Los Angeles.

This is exactly why I like it. But there's an underlying story not written into the script that has compelled me to watch -- and truly enjoy -- this show.

Barry Watson, best known for his role as Matt Camden on the long-running WB series 7th Heaven, is surviving cancer. Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in May 2002, he received treatment and reported in April 2003 that he was in remission. And he's been working hard ever since.

Watson is not only an actor. He is a husband -- his wife is Tracy Hutson of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition -- and he is a father. But most important in my book, Watson is a cancer survivor. And more than anything, this is what inspires me every time I watch What About Brian.

Watching the Superbowl yesterday made me think of Brian Piccolo. Brian played for the Chicago Bears from 1965 until 1969. He was diagnosed with embryonal cell carcinoma, it was almost 100% fatal at the time of his diagnosis. Sadly, Brian Piccolo died on June 16, 1970 at the age of twenty six, leaving his wife and three daughters.

Chicago mourned the death of Brian Piccolo and he became a legend when the television movie Brian's Song was released in 1971. I remember the showing of that movie in my grade school years. There wasn't a dry eye in the auditorium.

Bears running back, Gale Sayers uttered these famous words in May 1970, as he accepted the NFL's most Courageous Player award. Sayers told the crowd that they had selected the wrong person for the honor, and would accept it only on Piccolo's behalf. He said " I love Brian Piccolo, and I'd like all of you to love him. When you hit your knees to pray tonight, please ask God to love him, too".

After Piccolo's death, the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund was established, and millions of dollars have been donated to the cause of finding a cure to various forms of the disease. Thanks in part to those funds raised in the Piccolo's name, with early detection and treatment, this disease is now almost completely curable.

There are also a few books you can read about Brian:

Brian Piccolo, A Short Season

Gale Sayers' autobiography I am Third.

Fred Marsden, drummer of Gerry and the Pacemakers died of cancer at the age of 66 on December 9th. Like the Beatles, the band came from Liverpool and were also managed by Brian Epstein. Gerry and the Pacemakers rivaled the Beatles early in their career, playing the same areas of Hamburg, Germany and Liverpool, England.

Gerry and the Pacemakers became the first from Liverpool to have a number one single with How Do You Do It? in 1963. They had other hits but by 1965 their popularity was declining. The group disbanded in 1967. Fred Marsden put his drums away and went to work for British Telecom and later established the Pacemaker driving school.

Marsden is survived by his wife, Margaret, and two children.

Ronnie Lippin, long-time publicist and manager who helped shape the careers of rock stars Eric Clapton, Brian Wilson, and Prince, died Monday from a rare form of breast cancer. She was 59 years old.

Lippin began her career in the New York film and stage industry and migrated to music when she moved to Los Angeles with her husband, Dick Lippin. She worked for MCA Records, with Elton John's Rocket Records, and with RSO Records -- home of the Bee Gees and the Grease and Saturday Night Fever soundtracks -- where she became a top publicist. In 1989, she joined the marketing and public relations Lippin Group, founded by her husband. At the time of her death, she was president of the Lippin Group.

Lippin is survived by her husband and a daughter, who also works for the Lippin Group.

Some days are just better than other days -- and good deeds can make it a better day. Earlier this month, I shared a story with you about Brian Mammen, an 18 year-old who has been battling cancer for the last three years and is having a tough time right now. I told you that Brian is a young man with dreams -- things he would like to do. Helping Heroes Productions had been contacting the media and community friends in the hopes that someone could help make his ultimate dream of playing guitar with Van Halen's legendary bass guitarist Michael Anthony a reality.

Dreams come true if they involve people with big hearts. Michael Anthony came to see Brian at Brian's family home and spent the day with him, playing guitar, sharing music, laughter and stories. As Brian's grandmother tearfully watched as Brian lived his dream, she is quoted as saying, "It is times like this that cause people to reach out and really touch each other, and it makes me feel so wonderful."

"I've been blessed with great kids and career, and if I can give anything back I am glad to do it," Anthony said. In addition to spending an hour jamming with Brian, Anthony gave him a signature guitar strap, CD, and specialized Van Halen picks -- and a signed bass guitar. Hats off to Anthony! Who rocks as much as a successful musician as he does as a compassionate human being.