Steve O’Donnell, govt vp of NASCAR, talks concerning the Subsequent Gen Cup Automobiles that will probably be used within the 2022 season in the course of the NASCAR media occasion in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Could 5, 2021.
Mike McCarn/AP
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Mike McCarn/AP
TALLADEGA, Ala. — Steve O’Donnell needs to convey some enjoyable again to NASCAR, which he calls a “badass American sport.”
O’Donnell was launched because the sanctioning physique’s chief govt officer at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday and vowed to “make some strikes” that may return the storied racing sequence to its roots.
“We misplaced that in recent times,” O’Donnell mentioned.
Majority proprietor Jim France stepped down as CEO however will stay NASCAR’s chairman, and his majority possession stake won’t change.
O’Donnell will grow to be the primary individual outdoors the France household to carry the CEO title.
Invoice France Sr. based the racing sequence in 1948 and at all times had a member of the family within the prime function. Ben Kennedy, France’s great-nephew and the son of NASCAR govt Lesa Kennedy France, was promoted to chief working officer.
“They’ll take this factor even additional,” Jim France mentioned.
Jim France had been chairman and CEO of NASCAR for the reason that 2019 resignation of his nephew, Brian.
It marks the second promotion in almost a 12 months for O’Donnell, who has spent 30-plus years guiding NASCAR’s advertising and later competitors departments. He was named president in March 2025.
France took a hardline stance in negotiations for the 2025 revenue-sharing settlement, triggering an antitrust lawsuit by Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Entrance Row Motorsports. The perimeters reached a settlement in December that granted NASCAR groups the everlasting charters they’d sought.
France struggled to recollect a number of subjects throughout a shaky first day of testimony and wanted a number of questions repeated.
NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps resigned earlier this 12 months after inflammatory texts he despatched throughout contentious revenue-sharing negotiations have been revealed in the course of the trial.
O’Donnell escaped unscathed and now will get tasked with NASCAR’s subsequent part, which he prompt was to ensure everybody is aware of it is a “badass American sport.” He vowed to unite the business, pay attention to each stakeholder — together with followers — and tackle issues with urgency.
“It is what we’ve to do every day,” O’Donnell mentioned. “We have to showcase that.”
