Joe Gibbs Assesses NASCAR’s Current State Under Ben Kennedy and Steve Phelps

NASCAR recently underwent a massive change in leadership, with the previous president, Steve Phelps, elevated to a brand-new role as the sport’s commissioner. The Former COO, Steve O’Donnell, undertook Phelps’ previous role since 31st March 2025. Apart from the leaders, Ben Kennedy, who was previously the VP of Racing Development and Strategy, was promoted to EVP & Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer at just 32 years of age. Now, Joe Gibbs, who has seen NASCAR for over three decades, weighs in on the sport’s recent personnel changes.

Joe Gibbs founded the Joe Gibbs Racing team back in 1992 and has not looked back ever since in terms of leading the team. The 84-year-old has grown JGR from a one-car team to a full-fledged organization involving four different drivers with a much bigger crew since then. Keeping in mind Gibbs’ experience and longevity in the sport, his opinions mean a great deal for NASCAR as a whole, as Ben Kennedy and Steve Phelps have tried their best to improve the condition.

NASCAR is trying to stay true to its roots while at the same time introducing modern racing venues with the growing demand for stock-car racing. The LA Coliseum hosting The Clash from 2022 to 2024 meant a great deal for the sport’s overall growth in recent years. Moreover, the Chicago Road Course is potentially running for the third and last time, with a race brewing up in San Diego. Joe Gibbs believes that Ben Kennedy has done a great job in this sector as NASCAR looks at further extending its horizons.

Joe Gibbs pointed out that NASCAR was undergoing a massive shift in terms of the audience ages. The sport has already signed a deal with Amazon Prime and continues to bring in more changes with the streaming services provided during live races. Gibbs highlighted the importance of retaining the core group of audience while at the same time inviting more people to watch NASCAR.

I think it relates all the time to our fanbase. It’s so important, and now we’re kind of focused on some of the things with streaming — we have a younger generation, how do we attract them and yet, keep our core group there? I think that is kind of where we are.

Joe Gibbs told Fox Sports.

Apart from this, Joe Gibbs applauded Ben Kennedy’s decision to race around the Coliseum which expanded the horizons significantly. The JGR owner asserted that the sport could now go to different racing venues in their bid to increase the sport’s global appeal. Amongst many racing venues possible, New York would definitely be on the top of the priority list.

I think, for me, I really enjoy what Ben [Kennedy] has done, you know, being in the Coliseum — that opened up a whole new world. We can go to other stadiums. We can go to New York.

Joe Gibbs added.

Joe Gibbs asserts NASCAR ‘stepping out of the box’ by removing Chicago Street Course

NASCAR’s iconic and widely loved Chicago Street Course is likely to not be included in the calendars anymore as the sport aims to race into newer destinations. Reportedly, a new road course track built in San Diego would be replacing the outgoing circuit. As such, Joe Gibbs reckons that this shift is unconventional for NASCAR as he is excited as to what it entails.