NASCAR has confirmed a major leadership reshuffle, appointing Steve O’Donnell as chief executive officer and Ben Kennedy as chief operating officer for the remainder of the season.
The move marks a historic shift, as O’Donnell becomes the first CEO in NASCAR’s 78-year history not to come from the France family. Jim France, who had held the CEO role since 2018, will step down from day-to-day leadership but remain chairman of the organization.
O’Donnell, who brings more than three decades of experience across competition and marketing within NASCAR, was appointed president in March 2025. Now 57, he is expected to adopt a measured leadership approach, prioritizing listening and internal evaluation during his first months in charge.
Speaking to official NASCAR channels, O’Donnell emphasized that his initial focus will be on engaging with stakeholders across the sport to better understand opportunities and challenges before implementing major changes. He also pointed to NASCAR’s strong foundations, including its media rights agreements and race calendar, as key assets for future growth.
The leadership transition comes at a turbulent time for NASCAR, following the resignation of former commissioner Steve Phelps earlier this year. His departure followed internal tensions, legal disputes with teams, and controversy surrounding negotiations over the renewal of the franchise system through 2031.
One of the most notable flashpoints involved an antitrust lawsuit filed by teams including 23XI Racing—co-owned by Michael Jordan—and Front Row Motorsports, highlighting deeper structural tensions within the sport.
Meanwhile, Kennedy, 34, steps into the COO role with an expanded mandate. A former driver and team owner, he previously oversaw innovation in NASCAR’s event operations. In his new position, Kennedy will not only manage the race calendar but also take a leading role in developing partnerships across the automotive industry.
Together, the appointments signal NASCAR’s intent to stabilize its governance structure while building on its commercial and media foundations, as it looks to shape the next phase of its evolution.