TALLADEGA, ALA. — Steve O'Donnell was introduced as NASCAR's chief executive officer at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday, becoming the first person outside the France family to hold the title in the series' history. Jim France stepped down from the role and will remain chairman, with his majority ownership stake unchanged.

Bill France Sr. founded NASCAR in 1948, and a member of the France family had occupied the top leadership role ever since. Jim France had served as chairman and chief executive officer since the 2019 resignation of his nephew, Brian.

O'Donnell described NASCAR as a "badass American sport." He vowed to unite the NASCAR industry, listen to every stakeholder including fans, and address matters with urgency. "We lost that in recent years," he said.

"It's what we have to do each and every day," O'Donnell said. "We've got to showcase that."

O'Donnell spent more than 30 years guiding NASCAR's marketing and later competition departments before being named president of NASCAR in March 2025. Ben Kennedy, the great-nephew of Jim France and son of NASCAR executive Lesa Kennedy France, was promoted to chief operating officer.

Jim France expressed confidence in the new leadership team. "They're going to take this thing even further," he said.

The leadership change followed a period of transition for the series. Jim France took a hardline stance in negotiations for the 2025 revenue-sharing agreement, a position that preceded an antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. In December, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports reached a settlement granting NASCAR teams the permanent charters they had sought. Steve Phelps resigned as NASCAR Commissioner earlier this year.