NASCAR Snaps 78-Year History With Unprecedented Move

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Apr 24, 2026 6:04 PM ET

For the entirety of NASCAR's 78-year existence, the France family has led the day-to-day operations of the racing organization. But in an unprecedented move, the reins are being turned over outside of the family.

According to The Athletic via the Daytona Beach News-Journal, NASCAR CEO Jim France is stepping down as CEO. But rather than hand the job over to a family member, he will instead be designating current NASCAR president Steve O'Donnell as his successor.

Ben Kennedy, NASCAR's executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer, will be promoted to chief operating officer. Kennedy is the great-nephew of Jim France.

Per the report, the move is set to be formally announced this weekend amid the NASCAR Cup Series and O'Reilly Auto Parts Series races at Talladega Superspeedway.

AVONDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 05: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 Menards/Dutch Boy Ford, kisses the Bill France NASCAR Cup Series Championship trophy in victory lane after winning the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Championship, finishing first of the Championship 4 drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway on November 05, 2023 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Change in Leadership, not Ownership

NASCAR fans have had a lot of complaints about how the France family runs NASCAR. But while they may not be running things on a daily basis as much anymore, they're not leaving the league the late Bill France Sr. helped build decades ago.

Per the report, the 81-year-old Jim France will continue on as chairman of NASCAR. He personally owns 54-percent of the company while his niece Lesa France Kennedy owns 46-percent.

As for O'Donnell, he has been with NASCAR for 30 years and was named COO in 2022. He becomes the fifth CEO in NASCAR history.

Bill Sr. was the first NASCAR CEO from 1948 to 1972. His son Bill Jr. then ran the company all the way until 2003, and gave the company over to Brian France. Brian ran NASCAR from 2003 to 2018 before Jim France took it over.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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