NASCAR Chairman Jim France Steps Down as CEO
📖 Full Retelling
Jim France is stepping down from his NASCAR CEO role but will keep his role as chairman as the majority owner of the racing business. Effective immediately, NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell has been promoted to CEO, while executive vice president Ben Kennedy — France's great nephew — has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. "I am incredibly proud of the strength and stability we’ve achieved across the sport, which gives me tremendous confidence in our plan to transition leadership to Steve as NASCAR’s next CEO and Ben as COO," France said in a news release. "Together, they represent the future of the sport, and along with our world-class executive team and race team partners in the garage, they will guide NASCAR into its exciting next era." France, 81, has been chairman and CEO since 2018 after his nephew, Brian France, resigned from the role. France is the brother of Bill France Jr., who guided the sport — founded by their father in 1948 — from 1979-2000. The moves this weekend don't appear to be sparked by any one factor other than the natural progression and elevation of Kennedy. France and his niece, Lesa France Kennedy, have for decades overseen and through their trusts have co-owned NASCAR, which has had its challenges since its peak in the late 2000s. The latest challenge was an antitrust lawsuit brought by two race teams, including 23XI Racing, co-owned by basketball icon Michael Jordan. The two sides settled in December after eight days of trial, a trial that did not portray NASCAR and its executives in the best light. France was there throughout the trial and stood outside the courthouse with Jordan in announcing the settlement. France, who shunned the spotlight and politely declined almost all interview requests to talk about the sport, spent time on the witness stand at trial talking about his love of racing. He has owned race teams and dabbled as a driver himself. "When I talk about racers, I think that it's in your blood and ... it's something tha
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Jim France is stepping down from his NASCAR CEO role but will keep his role as chairman as the majority owner of the racing business. Effective immediately, NASCAR President Steve O'Donnell has been promoted to CEO, while executive vice president Ben Kennedy — France's great nephew — has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. "I am incredibly proud of the strength and stability we’ve achieved across the sport, which gives me tremendous confidence in our plan to transition leadership to Steve as NASCAR’s next CEO and Ben as COO," France said in a news release. "Together, they represent the future of the sport, and along with our world-class executive team and race team partners in the garage, they will guide NASCAR into its exciting next era." France, 81, has been chairman and CEO since 2018 after his nephew, Brian France, resigned from the role. France is the brother of Bill France Jr., who guided the sport — founded by their father in 1948 — from 1979-2000. The moves this weekend don't appear to be sparked by any one factor other than the natural progression and elevation of Kennedy. France and his niece, Lesa France Kennedy, have for decades overseen and through their trusts have co-owned NASCAR, which has had its challenges since its peak in the late 2000s. The latest challenge was an antitrust lawsuit brought by two race teams, including 23XI Racing, co-owned by basketball icon Michael Jordan. The two sides settled in December after eight days of trial, a trial that did not portray NASCAR and its executives in the best light. France was there throughout the trial and stood outside the courthouse with Jordan in announcing the settlement. France, who shunned the spotlight and politely declined almost all interview requests to talk about the sport, spent time on the witness stand at trial talking about his love of racing. He has owned race teams and dabbled as a driver himself. "When I talk about racers, I think that it's in your blood and ... it's something tha
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