NASCAR is expected to announce this weekend that 81-year-old Jim France will step down as the sanctioning body’s CEO but will remain as its chairman and majority owner.
Steve O’Donnell, who was promoted to NASCAR president in March 2025, will succeed France as CEO, Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass reports. Prior to being named president, O’Donnell was NASCAR’s chief operating officer. He played a key role in race operations and developing the current Cup Series car.
Ben Kennedy, who has been NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovations officer since June 2024, will be promoted to chief operating officer. Kennedy is France’s nephew and the son of Lesa France Kennedy, who is NASCAR’s executive vice chair.
A North Carolina native, Deb Williams is an award-winning motorsports journalist who is in her fourth decade covering auto racing. In addition to covering the sport for United Press International, she has written motorsports articles for several newspapers, magazines and websites including espnW.com, USA Today, and The Charlotte Observer. Her awards include the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence, two-time National Motorsports Press Association writer of the year, and two-time recipient of the Russ Catlin award. She also has won an award in the North Carolina Press Association’s sports feature category. During her career, Deb has been managing editor of GT Motorsports magazine and was with Winston Cup Scene and NASCAR Winston Cup Scene for 18 years, serving as the publication’s editor for 10 years. In 2024 she was inducted into the NMPA Hall of Fame.