A new era for NASCAR? Time will tell

NASCAR’s next era under the enhanced leadership of Steve O’Donnell and Ben Kennedy may not look any different to start. Or so say some of the drivers from the Cup Series garage.

“I think it’s great for him,” Michael McDowell said of Jim France stepping down as NASCAR CEO. “He’s been dedicated to the sport for a long time, so for him to be able to not necessarily step away but step aside to allow Steve O’Donnell and Ben to kind of start to fill those roles and bring in the new management, I feel like it was going to happen at some point. You don’t do it forever

“But honestly, I don’t think it changes a whole lot because we were sort of already there a little bit. I feel like it’s just new titles. But I feel comfortable with where the sport is at and going.”

The drivers were informed of the executive changes on Friday ahead of this weekend’s activities at Talladega Superspeedway. NASCAR made it official on Saturday morning that O’Donnell has become the first non-France family member to lead the sport in its 78-year history.

Kennedy will take on expanded leadership duties beyond his current role, most notably in the national series schedules and racing strategy. Kennedy, the great-grandson of the sport’s founder, Bill France Sr., was named COO.

“Does that change my day-to-day? Probably not directly right away,” Austin Cindric said. “But otherwise, just from afar, it definitely makes sense. There’s a lot of experience from those ends for those moving up into new roles, and I don’t think it’s going to impact anything directly right away.

“I’m just curious to see where everyone takes it from here.”

Two-time series champion Kyle Busch (pictured at left, top, with O’Donnell) is going with a “time will tell” reaction. O’Donnell was already forward-facing toward the garage in his previous roles, and he became even more so when he became NASCAR president in the spring of 2025. He was also very engaged with the media as a NASCAR representative.

O’Donnell has prided himself on serving as a liaison between NASCAR and the teams and on not being afraid to fight for them. He explained the latter on the witness stand during the recent antitrust lawsuit, even if it meant going against the France family.

“I feel like when Jim came in circa 2018, 2019, I think we all knew that was kind of like, ‘Hey, this is the right guy and the right time to take NASCAR to the next level,’” said Brad Keselowski. “And I feel like he did a lot of things that he’ll probably not get credit for. The last year was obviously very tough with things that were going on in the sport and lawsuits and beyond, but I think everyone pretty much knew that was not going to be a 20–30-year run.

“He and I had a good relationship. I like talking to him. I like Jim a lot, so there’s a part of me that is sad to see him go, but I think everyone understood the dynamics and that he kind of took his turn, and it wasn’t meant to be long-term.”

Jim France was always something of reluctant leader, preferring to operate behind the scenes. Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

France was a bit of a reluctant leader, having to step into the role in 2018 after his nephew, Brian France, stepped away following a DWI arrest in New York. It started as an interim leadership change with his appointment as chairman and CEO, but it quietly became permanent over time.

The son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., Jim France has never sought the spotlight. He didn’t do interviews. In the garage, where he has been visible to the industry over the years, he can almost go incognito to those who don’t recognize him or look closely because he doesn’t wear a suit and tie.

“I’m not sure,” said Denny Hamlin when asked what would change for the sport with O’Donnell and Kennedy in charge. “What we learned in December is that the board still controls everything. But certainly, it’s a promotion for Steve and Ben, and so, those guys will be the ones that lead us going forward.”

France, 81, will remain chairman of the board. He owns 54% of the sport. Lesa France Kennedy, who also remains in her role on the board, owns 46%.

“There are always things to be curious and concerned about, and do those outweigh the positives? I don’t think so,” Keselowski said. “I think there are a lot of positives to having role clarity. It’s been my business experience at least that having role clarity is so, so important when you’re trying to pull an entity together. I sense that with that announcement, that’s what was achieved as much as anything, which I can really strongly get behind. Like anyone else in any role, there have been wins and losses that those guys have had.

“What you hope for is that you learn from your misses and that you’re able to apply those lessons to things that happen in the future. I will tell you that when I’ve sat in a room with Ben, we’ve had great conversations. I enjoy my time with him, and I feel like we linked up on a lot of things and have similar mindsets, so that’s really exciting for me. Steve and I have worked on a number of projects together. I can’t say every one of them has gone perfectly, but I do appreciate his willingness to work together.”