Ben Kennedy

Ben Kennedy is Chief Operating Officer for NASCAR and oversees strategic initiatives for the sport’s future growth, as well as several core business functions including competition, track and event operations, racing innovation, hospitality, and venue strategy.

Kennedy was the architect behind the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series race schedule, widely acknowledged as the most dynamic new schedule the sport has seen in decades. Since then, he has led efforts to bring NASCAR racing to city centers, including the Busch Light Clash at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, the Chicago Street Race, the first street race in the history of the NASCAR Cup Series, and the race on Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. 

Previously, Kennedy served as Executive Vice President, Chief Events & Venue Officer where he oversaw all initiatives for NASCAR’s owned facilities and the evolution of the national series race schedules. Prior to that, Kennedy held roles as Senior Vice President of Racing Development and Strategy and Vice President, Racing Operations.. In 2018, Kennedy served as General Manager of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series where he provided oversight across multiple disciplines specific to the series, including competition, broadcasting, marketing and communications.  

Kennedy, the great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., and son of NASCAR Executive Vice Chair Lesa France Kennedy, is a fourth-generation leader from the NASCAR-founding France family, bringing experience to the organization from previous roles as both a driver and team owner.

Kennedy began his racing career in 2009 behind the wheel of a four-horsepower quarter midget at a small track in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Most recently, he raced in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Richard Childress Racing and GMS Racing. Kennedy also competed fulltime in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series from 2014-2016, earning his first win and series playoff berth in 2016. 

Enjoying success at the touring series level, Kennedy etched his name in the record books in 2012, when he won the first oval race in NASCAR Whelen Euro Series history at Tours Speedway, just outside of Paris, France.

In 2023, Kennedy was honored as a Sports Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” and was inducted into the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame with the Award of Distinction for his work in bringing the unprecedented Chicago Street Race to the city.

Kennedy received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and is currently a team owner in the ARCA Menards Series. He and his wife, Chelsea, reside in Florida and is based out of both the Daytona Beach and uptown Charlotte offices.