Jim France Steps Down as NASCAR CEO, O’Donnell Set to Take Over

What’s Happening?

Jim France is stepping down as NASCAR CEO, with Steve O’Donnell set to take over the role as part of a broader leadership restructuring, per reporting from Jordan Bianchi of The Athletic.

• Steve O’Donnell is set to take over as NASCAR CEO, assuming full leadership of the sport’s operations, while Jim France steps away from the role and remains as chairman, overseeing ownership.
• The change is part of a wider executive shift that also includes Ben Kennedy being promoted to Chief Operating Officer,
• The transition was, reportedly, communicated to team owners and key stakeholders, with an official announcement expected this weekend.
• O’Donnell has been one of NASCAR’s top executives for years, serving as COO before being named President in 2025, when he assumed day-to-day leadership of the sport, including competition, race operations, and overall business functions.
• With this move, O’Donnell becomes the first NASCAR CEO from outside the France family, making it the first time in NASCAR history that the role has not been held by a member of the founding family.

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