By David Morgan, Associate Editor
TALLADEGA, Ala. – For the first time in NASCAR’s 78-year history, a non-France family member will serve as the head of the sanctioning body after it was announced on Saturday that Jim France would be stepping down as the CEO, with Steve O’Donnell taking over the leadership role going forward.
France, the son of NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. and brother of longtime leader Bill France, Jr., took over the CEO role in August of 2018 and has held the role until now. He will remain as the Chairman of the NASCAR Board of Directors.
“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,” said France.
“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.”
With France stepping away, O’Donnell moves up from the role of President, which he most recently achieved in March of 2025. Prior to his presidential role, O’Donnell served as NASCAR Chief Operating Officer, along with numerous other roles in the company during his 30-year career.
As CEO, O’Donnell will now be responsible for the day-to-day leadership of all NASCAR and IMSA Series, along with all NASCAR commercial, media, and track operations.
“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,” said O’Donnell.
“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.”
As O’Donnell ascends to the CEO position, Ben Kennedy, the great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr., grandson of Bill France, Jr., and son of NASCAR Executive Vice Chair Lesa France Kennedy, will continue his stratospheric rise through the NASCAR ranks to take over the Chief Operating Officer role.
Prior to his move into the NASCAR front office, Kennedy tried his hand behind the wheel in both the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series as well as the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series before hanging up his helmet at the end of the 2017 season.
In his various roles on the business side of NASCAR, Kennedy most recently served as Chief Events & Venues Officer and has been lauded as the architect behind the recent schedule innovations in the sport that has seen new races come online including the Chicago Street Race and this season’s race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego.
As COO, Kennedy will now oversee a number of functions in both business and competition, with NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer John Probst reporting to him on the competition side of things.
Kennedy will also continue to maintain his role as overseer of schedule creation, a role he has largely flourished in.
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