O’Donnell set to succeed Jim France as NASCAR CEO

For the first time in its 70-plus-year history, the man at the helm of NASCAR will no longer be a member of the France family.

NASCAR is set to announce this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway that Steve O’Donnell (pictured above), the current president of the sport, is ascending to the role of CEO. He will replace the 81-year-old Jim France, who is the son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr.

Jim France will remain chairman of the board.

As was explained in December during the antitrust trial with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, shares of the sport are split between Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy. France owns 54%, and Kennedy, his niece, owns 46%.

France has held the CEO/NASCAR chairman role since 2018. He took over from his nephew, Brian France, who stepped away from the sport following a DWI arrest.

O’Donnell has served as NASCAR president since March 2025, succeeding Steve Phelps, who moved into the newly created commissioner role. Phelps departed from the company in the aftermath of the lawsuit.

In addition to O’Donnell’s role change, NASCAR will announce that Ben Kennedy will be named COO. Kennedy, the son of Lesa France Kennedy, is the great-grandson of Bill France Sr.

Kennedy is a former driver himself. However, his role within the family business has evolved over the years, with him most recently serving as executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovation officer. Among his key responsibilities has been involvement in NASCAR’s national series schedules.

The Athletic, Sports Business Journal, and Fox Sports were among the first to report the news.