Historic NASCAR Reorganization Brings Major Leadership Changes

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Saajan Jogia is a motorsport and automotive writer with over ten years of experience. His passion for cars and motorcycles has been a driving force behind his evolution as a writer. He has extensively covered Formula 1, MotoGP, IndyCar, NASCAR, WEC, and technology for publications including Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, Newsweek, and Men’s Journal.

Saajan Jogia

Sports Contributing Writer

NASCAR owners Jim France and Lesa France have announced President Steve Phelps’ promotion to the newly created role of commissioner, a first for the sport. Chief Operating Officer Steve O’Donnell has been promoted to the role of President.

However, the ownership of NASCAR remains unchanged – Jim France will continue to be chairman and CEO, while Lesa France Kennedy will continue to perform the role of vice chair. Ben Kennedy also continues to hold the position of executive vice president.

Phelps, 62, has contributed hugely to stock car racing since he became president in 2018. His new role provides him with more authority to shape NASCAR’s future on a broader scale. He will focus on strategizing NASCAR’s expansion at a global level, oversee the 15 racetracks that the sport owns, and supervise the IMSA sports car property owned by NASCAR. Praising Phelps and O’Donnell, Jim France told Sports Business Journal:

“The race fan is, by far, our most important stakeholder, and few leaders understand that more than Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell. Their leadership will be key as we grow the sport and solidify our standing as a global leader in sports and entertainment.”

O’Donnell had been preparing for the promotion for quite some time as some of Phelps’ direct reports reported to him over the last year. Phelps said:

“I am more energized today, whether I remained as president or commissioner. I’m just so positive that this sport is positioned for growth.”

“We have experienced some growth since 2019, and I think that we are currently in a position for extended growth both domestically and internationally. Steve has proven himself to be a strong leader, and I think Jim, Lesa and myself felt that it was time for Steve to be elevated.”

President of Rick Ware Racing, Robby Benton, pointed out the high-level work Phelps and O’Donnell have been performing, which has begun to take shape.

“One day he’s in China, the next day he’s in Daytona, the next day he’s in Charlotte — he’s covering a lot of different aspects of the growth of the sport,” Benton said of O’Donnell. “Both of those guys have probably had a longer-term vision of where the sport is trying to go and helping it get there than most people probably realize. We’re living in our bubbles and hyper focused on the here and now, and I think that Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell have uniquely had a longer-term vision that I think we’re starting to see unfold.”

NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, John Probst, has taken on additional responsibilities on the competition side relating to servicing current OEMs and onboarding new ones.

Phelps is said to have turned around NASCAR’s fortunes in many areas, stressing innovation and unique ideas. Despite his new role, he will remain actively present at the racetrack on race weekends.

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