By David Morgan, Associate Editor
TALLADEGA, Ala. – Steve O’Donnell and Ben Kennedy are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
On Saturday, the two ascended into their new roles in the NASCAR hierarchy, with O’Donnell becoming the first non-France family member to take over the Chief Executive Officer role from Jim France, who will be stepping away after being in the top job since August of 2018.
Kennedy likewise continue his climb up the ladder as he will now be NASCAR’s Chief Operating Officer.
In his opening remarks as the newly minted CEO, O’Donnell expressed his wishes to be able to unite the industry going forward to create a stronger union and a brighter future for the sport that has been in existence for nearly 80 years.
“When we’re at our best as a sport, the teams, the tracks, manufacturers, television partners, OEMs, drivers, we’re all working together and we’re aligned to make each other better.
The first goal that we’ve got is to really unite our industry. I want to create a culture where there’s collaboration, a genuine collaboration, where everybody wins,” said O’Donnell.
“The great news I think for us is we’re not starting from scratch. We’re close to 80 years of building a foundation. We’ve got racing series, not just Cup, but a portfolio of racing series that’s unrivaled in all of motorsports.”
As the new NASCAR boss, O’Donnell explained his willingness to pull in feedback from every party involved in the sport to make informed decisions that drive the way forward in a positive direction.
“We’re going to be listening, and that means genuinely listening before making any decisions. So, I know there’ll be a lot of questions, where are you going? What are you doing? But I think it’s important for us to go out there and spend the time listening to everyone in this industry,” said O’Donnell.
“Team owners, team principals, drivers, tracks, manufacturers, OEMs, and probably most importantly for us too, all of the talented employees we have at NASCAR, not just the leadership team, but those who are out selling the tickets, those who are out interacting with the fans and can tell you what’s really happening and where we need the sport to go.
“I know there’s a number of areas that we need to address and we’re going to move with urgency. What we’re going to need from this industry, and I’m talking to everyone in this industry now, is their collective intelligence. We have some of the brightest minds in all of motorsports each and every weekend in the garage. We have to tap into that, be united and work together.”
O’Donnell has been a part of the NASCAR universe in various roles over his 30-year career and noted that while the sport may have lost its way in recent years, both he and Kennedy will do their best to bring NASCAR back to its former glory.
“We’re going to get to work. We’ve already been at work. The big thing, twofold, we’re going to make some moves and have some fun. I think we lost that over the last couple years.
“It is an unbelievable privilege to be in this position. My wife reminded me today that people would kill to be doing what you’re doing. That’s not lost on me.
“It’s a privilege to do it, but it’s also fun, what we get to do each and every day. The race you just saw was unbelievable, the enthusiasm from the drivers. We got to showcase that, be proud of that, proud of who we are. I think you’ll see more of that.”
“NASCAR has always been an American original,” O’Donnell added. “My job, our job, I think all of our jobs, is to make sure that the next generation of fans, wherever they grow up, whatever they do, wherever they come from, whatever makes them unique, knows that this sport belongs to them, not because we changed who we are but because new fans recognize what our core fans have known all along: that we’re a bad-ass American sport.”
As for Kennedy, his rise from an aspiring driver to the NASCAR front office has seen him climb the ranks at a staggering pace, with him likely being the heir apparent to the NASCAR throne when the time is right for him to take over the reins.
For now, he’s content with putting his all into his new role as COO.
“I love the racing aspect of the business. My first job coming at NASCAR was working with John Probst and the competition team. Looking forward to working with them and the rest of the leadership team.
“Steve said it before that we have an incredible leadership team, not only at NASCAR, but our industry partners, broadcast partners, teams, tracks, drivers, OEMs. You can go down to the list.
“We have a great group of people that are second to none in this industry. I think it’s rare that you find people that are truly passionate and care about this sport. We have a lot of that.
“Look forward to the new challenge, rolling up our sleeves and getting back to work.”
Prior to O’Donnell and Kennedy taking the dais during Saturday’s press conference at Talladega, France expressed his thanks for those that supported his tenure as NASCAR boss before handing off the baton to O’Donnell to officially take over control.
“We got a great team and they’re going to take this thing even farther,” said France.
“Steve, you got the wheel, partner.”
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