Ben Kennedy

Ben Kennedy is a motorsports executive and former professional stock car racing driver who serves as chief operating officer of NASCAR. As the great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., the grandson of former NASCAR president Bill France Jr., and the son of NASCAR executive vice chair Lesa France Kennedy, Kennedy represents the fourth generation of the France family in the motorsports industry.

Kennedy began his racing career on the short tracks of central Florida, earning championship titles in Pro Truck racing and Super Late Models before advancing to national competition. In the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, he recorded 42 starts and two victories, and made history by winning the first NASCAR-sanctioned oval race in Europe at Tours Speedway in France. Kennedy competed full-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, earning Rookie of the Year honors in his first full season and securing a victory at Bristol Motor Speedway, which qualified him for the inaugural Truck Series Chase. He also competed in 17 NASCAR Xfinity Series races, achieving a career-best fourth-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway. Kennedy holds a degree in sports management from the University of Florida and has experience as a team owner in the ARCA Menards Series and NASCAR late model racing.

Transitioning from driving to executive roles, Kennedy brought firsthand knowledge of competition at NASCAR's highest levels. He was appointed general manager of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, becoming the first person to hold that position, and subsequently advanced through roles including vice president of racing development, vice president of strategic initiatives, and senior vice president of strategy and innovation. Kennedy played a key role in significant scheduling and format changes across NASCAR's three national series, including reconstructing the race calendar, implementing mid-week races and doubleheaders, and contributing to NASCAR's completion of a full schedule of events during a challenging period for live sports. He also led innovations such as the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the NASCAR Street Race in Chicago, expanding the sport's reach into new urban markets.

Kennedy has been recognized by Sports Business Journal on its "40 Under 40" list and in the "New Voices Under 30" class. NASCAR's board of directors named Kennedy chief operating officer, where he oversees business functions including competition, track and event operations, racing innovation, hospitality, and venue strategy. Kennedy's combination of on-track experience, executive leadership, and deep knowledge of the motorsports industry positions him as a prominent figure in professional auto racing.