NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell has been named the organization’s new CEO as series co-owner Jim France vacates the position. France had been Chairman and CEO of the series since 2018 and will continue in his Chairman role.
Ben Kennedy, a member of the France family that controls NASCAR, has also been elevated from Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer to Chief Operating Officer.
“I am incredibly proud of the strength and stability we’ve achieved across the sport, which gives me tremendous confidence in our plan to transition leadership to Steve as NASCAR’s next CEO and Ben as COO,” France said in a news release. “Together, they represent the future of the sport, and along with our world-class executive team and race team partners in the garage, they will guide NASCAR into its exciting next era.”
The moves follow the January resignation of NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps in January. Phelps was the first executive to be given the Commissioner title, which is no longer being used. His duties had been distributed among various executives, including O’Donnell, who has been working at NASCAR for 30 years.
“It is an honor to step into the role of CEO working alongside Ben and our leadership team at such an important time for our sport,” O’Donnell said. “I have devoted nearly my entire l career to NASCAR, this garage and our fans, guided by the France family’s commitment to deliver the best racing in the world. I am grateful and energized to continue to collaborate with our colleagues across our sport, while listening to our race fans to realize that vision each and every week.”
