NASCAR announces promotions for Steve O’Donnell and Ben Kennedy

NASCAR announces promotions for Steve O’Donnell and Ben Kennedy

Steve O’Donnell and Ben Kennedy

NASCAR has announced new promotions for senior officials Executive Vice President Steve O’Donnell and Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation Ben Kennedy. The organization announced that O’Donnell will be the new Chief Operating Officer and Kennedy will be the new Senior Vice President of Racing Development and Strategy.

Steve O’Donnell has been with NASCAR since 1996 staring at the Marketing department and moving his way up the organization ladder later becoming EVP and Chief Racing Development Officer in 2014. Ben Kennedy who belongs to the France family which runs NASCAR found his way to the top after joining the Strategy and Innovation section of the firm in 2017 ending his Xfinity series and Truck series career.

Steve Phelps
NASCAR’s president Steve Phelps

NASCAR President Steve Phelps announced the promotions of the new officials addressing their past achievements with the sports acknowledging that the experience alongside leadership qualities from O’Donnell and the innovativeness of Kennedy can help the organization to grow.  

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“With more than twenty-five years of NASCAR experience across a variety of disciplines, Steve O’Donnell has earned the respect of the entire industry, and his collaborative leadership in the competition space has positioned the sport for incredible growth for years to come. …Ben Kennedy has proven to be an innovative, thoughtful leader with bold ideas and a tireless work ethic,” Steve Phelps said.

Steve O’Donnell is “passionate” about leading NASCAR which “is in a prime position for growth”

Steve O’Donnell
Steve O’Donnell

Steve O’Donnell acknowledged that he is looking forward grow the sport as it’s in a prime position for growth. He added that he is deeply passionate about NASCAR and its fans and will work in collaboration with them to ensure the success of the sport.

“NASCAR is in a prime position for growth, and I look forward to helping our talented team continue the work necessary to build our sport,” Steve O’Donnell said.

 “I am deeply passionate about NASCAR, its fans, and those who work in our industry. Together, we will continue the unprecedented collaboration to ensure our sport’s success,” Steve O’Donnell added.

“I am excited to return to the Competition team,” Ben Kennedy on his promotion

Ben Kennedy
Ben Kennedy

Ben Kennedy who was the mastermind behind the 2022 unofficial season beginner The LA “Clash at the Callosum” said he is happy to be back with the competition innovation department and added that he looks forward to helping the sport to grow.

“I am excited to return to the Competition team and continue to learn from some of the most innovative leaders across our sport,” Ben Kennedy said.

“The racing this season with the Next-Gen car is some of the best we’ve ever seen. It is truly an exciting time in NASCAR, and I look forward to helping this talented team grow our sport,” Ben Kennedy added.

Also read: NASCAR star Ryan Blaney to go head-to-head with his father Dave Blaney in SRX finale