Steve O’Donnell, introduced as NASCAR’s chief executive officer at Talladega Superspeedway, pledged to bring “some fun” back to what he called a “badass American sport.” O’Donnell said he plans to “make some moves” to return the series to its roots, adding, “We lost that in recent years.”
Majority owner Jim France stepped down as CEO but will remain NASCAR’s chairman and keep his majority ownership stake. O’Donnell is the first CEO from outside the France family; Bill France Sr.’s descendants had always held the top role. Ben Kennedy, the great-nephew of the founder and son of NASCAR executive Lesa Kennedy France, was promoted to chief operating officer.
O’Donnell, who has more than 30 years in NASCAR guiding marketing and competition, was promoted to president in March 2025 and now takes on the CEO role. He said his priorities include uniting the industry, listening to every stakeholder — including fans — and acting with urgency to showcase the sport.
The leadership change follows a turbulent period: Jim France took a hardline stance in 2025 revenue-sharing negotiations that led to an antitrust lawsuit by Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. The parties settled in December, granting teams the permanent charters they sought. During the trial, France appeared shaky in testimony and needed questions repeated; NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps resigned earlier this year after inflammatory texts surfaced from the negotiations.
O’Donnell emerged from the controversy unscathed and now faces the task of steering NASCAR’s next phase, promising to restore excitement and cohesion across the sport.
Steve O’Donnell, executive vice president of NASCAR, talks about the Next Gen Cup Cars that will be used in the 2022 season during the NASCAR media event in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Mike McCarn/AP