New CEO Steve O’Donnell vows to unite NASCAR and return the enjoyable : NPR

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Mike McCarn/AP TALLADEGA, Ala. — Steve O'Donnell desires to carry 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 can return the storied racing sequence to its roots.

"We misplaced that lately," O'Donnell mentioned.

Majority proprietor Jim France stepped down as CEO however will stay NASCAR's chairman, and his majority possession stake is not going to change.

O'Donnell will grow to be the primary particular person 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 high function. Ben Kennedy, France's great-nephew and the son of NASCAR govt Lesa Kennedy France, was promoted to chief working officer.

"They will take this factor even additional," Jim France mentioned.

Jim France had been chairman and CEO of NASCAR because the 2019 resignation of his nephew, Brian.

It marks the second promotion in practically a yr for O'Donnell, who has spent 30-plus years guiding NASCAR's advertising and marketing 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 edges 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 yr after inflammatory texts he despatched throughout contentious revenue-sharing negotiations had been revealed throughout the trial.

O'Donnell escaped unscathed and now will get tasked with NASCAR's subsequent section, which he urged was to verify everybody is aware of it is a "badass American sport." He vowed to unite the business, hear to each stakeholder — together with followers — and tackle issues with urgency.