Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s impact on NASCAR stretched further than his on-track presence, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said Sunday at Richmond.

“Not just his popularity, but carrying on the Earnhardt name in such a good way,” France said during a spontaneous appearance with the media. “Always competitive on the track, always raced at a high level, and always worked with NASCAR to make the sport better. Just like his father did. That’s not always the case when drivers come in, some of them just drive the car and that’s what they do. Dale Jr. was quieter about that but nonetheless, that was important to him, to always give his input. In a quiet way, but we always listened to him.”

The spontaneous appearance allowed France to touch on a number of topics as the sport churns its way toward summer, especially coming off the heels of its biggest star announcing his retirement.

While acknowledging NASCAR is facing many of the same issues other sports are in terms of satisfying the fans, France said there are great people working in the industry and it will be figured out.

Among the questions addressed, France spoke on the lack of sponsors for teams (such as Stewart-Haas Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing), the sport’s next generation of drivers (who he says cannot be humble to be here but compete at a high level), and Monster Energy’s work as the entitlement sponsor.

Not surprisingly, France spoke highly of its new partner, Monster Energy. In the company’s first year as the sponsor of the premier series, France continues to express pleasure in having them in the sport.

“I’ll say in one word great,” France said of the job Monster has been doing. “I think they are bringing what we hoped they would bring, that sort of youthful, kind of edgy … entertainment. If you were out in California, (there was a) massive crowd watching some of the things they were doing, interactive with our fan base.

“Then digitally, social, they are one of the leading companies in the country at how to manage that new frontier. And by the way, they never had a property at this level, so they’re doing this all in the first couple months … So, I think they’re just great. We’re excited to have them.”