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Steve O'Donnell Named NASCAR CEO Amid Leadership Turmoil

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Steve O'Donnell was named chief executive officer of NASCAR at Talladega Superspeedway, succeeding Jim France.
O'Donnell said he will restore the sport’s excitement and unite all NASCAR stakeholders.
Jim France stepped down as CEO but remains NASCAR chairman and majority owner.
Ben Kennedy was promoted to chief operating officer.
The leadership change follows a 2025 revenue-sharing dispute that sparked an antitrust lawsuit and former commissioner Steve Phelps’s resignation.

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Story summary

Steve O'Donnell was named chief executive officer of NASCAR at Talladega Superspeedway, succeeding Jim France.
O'Donnell said he will restore the sport’s excitement and unite all NASCAR stakeholders.
Jim France stepped down as CEO but remains NASCAR chairman and majority owner.
Ben Kennedy was promoted to chief operating officer.
The leadership change follows a 2025 revenue-sharing dispute that sparked an antitrust lawsuit and former commissioner Steve Phelps’s resignation.