Story perspectives

NASCAR Names Steve O'Donnell CEO, Ben Kennedy COO

4/26/2026

Summary

O'Donnell Named CEO

NASCAR named Steve O'Donnell CEO and Ben Kennedy COO.
O'Donnell, 57, with 30 years experience, became president March 31 2025 and will spend 90 days consulting owners, drivers, tracks, sponsors and employees.
Chairman Jim France, 81, stays on after leaving the CEO post and sees the season and the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega as a chance to rebuild fan enthusiasm and plan through 2030.

Summary

O'Donnell Leads NASCAR

Jim France stepped down as CEO, making O’Donnell NASCAR’s first non-France chief executive.
The new CEO said he wants to bring “fun” back to NASCAR, calling it a “badass sport.”
The lawsuit settled in December, granting NASCAR teams permanent charters they had sought.
NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps resigned earlier this year after inflammatory texts were revealed during the trial.

Summary

France Retains Control

Jim France will retain a controlling 54% ownership stake and remain chairman of NASCAR.
Lesa France Kennedy holds the remaining 46% ownership, keeping ultimate family control of the privately held sport.
Media-rights deals through 2031 and a reworked charter agreement aim to stabilize revenue and team relations.
Ben Kennedy has added city-center races in Los Angeles, Chicago, Mexico City and San Diego, prompting mixed social-media reactions.

Summary

O'Donnell Takes Helm

NASCAR activated its succession plan after meeting a stability threshold with a media-rights deal through 2031 and a playoff format.
After Steve Phelps resigned in January, NASCAR dropped the commissioner title and assigned his duties to Steve O’Donnell.
A conference with CEO Steve O’Donnell and Ben Kennedy is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET at the racetrack.
The plan, prepared earlier, notes O’Donnell’s work on the Next Gen car and track revitalization.

History

Historical Context

After NASCAR centralized TV sales in 1999, it signed a six-year, $2.4 billion package with Fox, NBC and Turner that boosted national exposure. Subsequent deals—such as the 2023 $1.1 billion-per-year Cup contract and a $115 million-per-year Xfinity agreement with The CW—extend through 2031. In 2025 Steve O'Donnell becomes the sport’s first non-France CEO, guiding the organization under this modern rights framework.

1 of 5

O'Donnell Named CEO

NASCAR named Steve O'Donnell CEO and Ben Kennedy COO.
O'Donnell, 57, with 30 years experience, became president March 31 2025 and will spend 90 days consulting owners, drivers, tracks, sponsors and employees.
Chairman Jim France, 81, stays on after leaving the CEO post and sees the season and the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega as a chance to rebuild fan enthusiasm and plan through 2030.

1 / 5