New Era at NASCAR: O'Donnell Vows to Unite Sport and Return to Roots
"NASCAR is a badass American sport," said new CEO Steve O'Donnell. "I intend to make moves to bring it back to its roots."
In a significant leadership shift, Steve O'Donnell was officially introduced as NASCAR's new CEO at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday. His primary pledge is to unify stakeholders and restore the sport's broad appeal.
Leadership Shake-Up
Jim France has stepped down as CEO but will remain as chairman, retaining his majority ownership stake. O'Donnell is the first non-France family member to hold the CEO title, signaling a new chapter for the organization. Additionally, Ben Kennedy, Jim France's great-nephew, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO).
A Veteran Takes the Wheel
O'Donnell brings over 30 years of experience at NASCAR to the role. He previously served as president since March 2025, overseeing both the marketing and competition departments. His promotion comes after a turbulent period that included contentious revenue-sharing negotiations.
Navigating Recent Turbulence
The negotiations escalated into an antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, which was eventually settled in December 2024. During the trial, former NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps resigned after sending inflammatory texts. O'Donnell was not implicated in that controversy.
A Commitment to Listen
O'Donnell emphasized the need for collaboration. He stated his intention to listen to all stakeholders—including fans— and to address the sport's challenges with a renewed sense of urgency.