TALLADEGA, Ala. — Steve O’Donnell was introduced at Talladega Superspeedway as NASCAR’s chief executive officer and vowed to bring more excitement back to what he called a ‘badass American sport.’ He said he plans to make moves that return the series to its roots and help heal divisions across the industry.
Majority owner Jim France relinquished the CEO role but remains chairman and retains his ownership stake. O’Donnell is the first CEO from outside the France family. Ben Kennedy, a great-nephew of Bill France Sr. and the son of NASCAR executive Lesa Kennedy France, was promoted to chief operating officer.
O’Donnell, who has spent more than 30 years in NASCAR in marketing and competition roles and was named president in March 2025, said he will listen to every stakeholder, including fans, and address issues with urgency. He emphasized the need to demonstrate change day to day and to showcase the sport in ways that reconnect people to the track.
The leadership shift follows a contentious period. Hardline 2025 revenue-sharing negotiations led to an antitrust lawsuit by Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, which the parties settled in December with teams receiving the permanent charters they sought. During the dispute’s court proceedings, Jim France at times struggled to recall subjects and required questions to be repeated. NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps resigned earlier this year after inflammatory texts linked to the negotiations surfaced.
O’Donnell largely avoided that turmoil and now faces the task of uniting the sport, restoring fan engagement and reinforcing NASCAR’s identity while working to bring more excitement back to the races.