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CRAFTSMAN truck series

CRAFTSMAM truck series 

www.nascar.com

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

 

Carson Hocevar continues his roll with NASCAR Truck Series win at Texas

 

getty images

May 1, 2026

 

By Reid Spencer

NASCAR Wire Service

 

FORT WORTH, Texas — The glass slipper still firmly on his foot from last Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series win at Talladega, Carson Hocevar mashed the gas in overtime on Friday night and ran away to victory in the SpeedyCash.com 250 at Texas Motor Speedway.

 

Beating runner-up and Spire Motorsports teammate Kyle Busch to the finish line by 0.730 seconds in overtime, Hocevar notched his sixth career NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series victory at the 1.5-mile intermediate track that gave him his first in the series in 2023.

 

The triumph reversed a 1-2 finish from earlier this season at EchoPark Speedway near Atlanta, where Busch beat Hocevar to the stripe by 0.114 seconds.

 

“It’s unbelievable—what a fun race,” Hocevar said after climbing from his No. 77 Chevrolet on the frontstretch. “We had to reverse the order, obviously the 1-2 with Kyle. I watched him win a lot of truck races, and it’s finally good to put an end to his Texas streak.”

 

Busch had won his last four Truck Series starts at Texas, but an early brush with the outside wall forced him to regain a lost lap as the beneficiary under caution for Cole Butcher’s crash in Turn 2 on Lap 51.

 

Busch fought through the field and challenged for the lead in the late going but failed to add to his record 68 Truck Series wins.

 

“We had an eventful night,” Busch said. “We didn’t start off very well. We were really, really loose and made a lot of adjustments to get it close. When we put the last set off tires on, we were really fast, felt really good.

 

“I was struggling with grip all night long, but (crew chief) Brian (Pattie) and the guys made a lot of good calls to get us dialed back in. It would have been nice to be in Victory Lane, but it’s good to have a teammate in there and have him get his shot. I got one, he got one, so now we’re even there.”

 

After the second stage break, Hocevar thought he might have a loose wheel, but that didn’t prevent him from going all-out during a succession of restarts late in the race.

 

Gio Ruggiero led the field to the overtime restart on Lap 171, but he lost impetus in the middle of a three-wide situation on the white-flag lap, as Hocevar charged into the lead and opened a gap of 10 car-lengths.

 

Kaden Honeycutt finished third, right behind Busch’s Silverado, with Brandon Jones and pole winner Ben Rhodes in fourth and fifth, respectively, as Ruggiero fell to 17th. Layne Riggs, Christian Eckes, Daniel Hemric, Ty Majeski and Chandler Smith completed the top 10.

 

Though Honeycutt left with the series lead—by 14 points over Smith—he remained frustrated with his inability to close out a victory.

 

“I’m proud to be able to drive a truck like this,” said Honeycutt, who is winless in 66 Truck Series starts. “It’s disappointing that I just keep failing. There’s no excuse for it. As soon as I got the lead (on Lap 149), I didn’t protect it right. I didn’t do the right things and ultimately that’s what led us to lose.

 

“Just got to figure out how to get restarts done. I’ve got to figure out how to win races. It’s eating me alive, I can promise you that.”

 

Ruggiero likewise missed an opportunity. He had passed Hocevar for the lead on Lap 165 of a scheduled 167, but a violent, five-truck accident on the frontstretch caused the eighth caution, necessitated a red flag for cleanup and forced the overtime.

 

Hocevar won the second stage and led a race-high 76 laps to 41 for Rhodes, who won the first stage wire-to-wire. 

 

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series Race - SpeedyCash.com 250

Texas Motor Speedway

Fort Worth, Texas

Friday, May 1, 2026

 

                1. (11)  Carson Hocevar(i), Chevrolet, 172.

                2. (6)  Kyle Busch(i), Chevrolet, 172.

                3. (10)  Kaden Honeycutt, Toyota, 172.

                4. (18)  Brandon Jones(i), Toyota, 172.

                5. (1)  Ben Rhodes, Ford, 172.

                6. (34)  Layne Riggs, Ford, 172.

                7. (14)  Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 172.

                8. (12)  Christian Eckes, Chevrolet, 172.

                9. (20)  Ty Majeski, Ford, 172.

                10. (8)  Chandler Smith, Ford, 172.

                11. (19)  Parker Kligerman, RAM, 172.

                12. (23)  Ross Chastain(i), Chevrolet, 172.

                13. (17)  Brenden Queen #, RAM, 172.

                14. (3)  Giovanni Ruggiero, Toyota, 172.

                15. (13)  Tyler Ankrum, Chevrolet, 172.

                16. (22)  Dawson Sutton, Chevrolet, 172.

                17. (21)  William Sawalich(i), Toyota, 171.

                18. (27)  Toni Breidinger, Chevrolet, 171.

                19. (7)  Stewart Friesen, Toyota, 171.

                20. (30)  Spencer Boyd, Chevrolet, 170.

                21. (28)  Mini Tyrrell #, RAM, 170.

                22. (31)  Josh Reaume, Ford, 169.

                23. (32)  Frankie Muniz, Ford, 168.

                24. (33)  Caleb Costner, Chevrolet, 168.

                25. (25)  Corey LaJoie, RAM, 165.

                26. (29)  Clayton Green, Ford, 165.

                27. (24)  Justin Haley, RAM, Accident, 164.

                28. (5)  Tanner Gray, Toyota, Accident, 164.

                29. (2)  Jake Garcia, Ford, Accident, 163.

                30. (15)  Andres Perez De Lara, Chevrolet, Accident, 163.

                31. (26)  Kris Wright, Chevrolet, 163.

                32. (9)  Grant Enfinger, Chevrolet, Accident, 156.

                33. (16)  Conner Jones, Chevrolet, Accident, 155.

                34. (35)  Cory Roper, Toyota, Suspension, 123.

                35. (4)  Cole Butcher #, Ford, Accident, 51.

 

Average Speed of Race Winner:  112.924 mph.

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 17 Mins, 5 Secs. Margin of Victory:  0.730 Seconds.

Caution Flags:  8 for 39 laps.

Lead Changes:  14 among 9 drivers.

Lap Leaders:   B. Rhodes 1-41;C. Hocevar(i) 42;B. Jones(i) 43-58;C. Hocevar(i) 59-75;D. Sutton 76-77;M. Tyrrell # 78;C. Hocevar(i) 79-121;L. Riggs 122-127;T. Gray 128-129;D. Sutton 130-132;G. Ruggiero 133-148;K. Honeycutt 149-151;C. Hocevar(i) 152-164;G. Ruggiero 165-170;C. Hocevar(i) 171-172.

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  Carson Hocevar(i) 5 times for 76 laps; Ben Rhodes 1 time for 41 laps; Giovanni Ruggiero 2 times for 22 laps; Brandon Jones(i) 1 time for 16 laps; Layne Riggs 1 time for 6 laps; Dawson Sutton 2 times for 5 laps; Kaden Honeycutt 1 time for 3 laps; Tanner Gray 1 time for 2 laps; Mini Tyrrell # 1 time for 1 lap.

Stage #1 Top Ten: 99,77,17,11,38,52,9,34,88,45

Stage #2 Top Ten: 77,11,17,26,18,14,9,15,38,44

 

 

 

National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing

www.nascar.com

 

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States and owner of 14 of the nation’s major motorsports entertainment facilities. NASCAR sanctions races in three national series (NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series™, and NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series™), four international series (NASCAR Brasil Series, NASCAR Canada Series, NASCAR Euro Series, NASCAR Mexico Series), four regional series (ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East & West and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour) and a local grassroots series (NASCAR Local Racing Series Powered by O’Reilly Auto Parts). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. NASCAR also owns Motor Racing Network, Racing Electronics, and ONE DAYTONA. Based in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in five cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races annually in 11 countries and more than 30 U.S. states.

 

NASCAR and Coca-Cola Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary by

Honoring Military Service Members through NASCAR Heroes Pass Promotion as part of NASCAR Salutes

 

Selected Active-Duty Service Members and Veterans will receive Two Tickets Annually for 20 years

 

Charlotte, North Carolina (May 1, 2026) - NASCAR and Coca-Cola are expanding their shared commitment to the military community this May with the return of NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola, while also honoring America’s 250th anniversary through a special evolution of the program: NASCAR Salutes 250 Together with Coca-Cola.

 

The annual initiative recognizes and supports active duty servicemembers, veterans, military families and fallen heroes through a series of programs throughout Military Appreciation Month, including special recognition in the 600 Miles of Remembrance at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24 and culminating at Nashville Superspeedway on May 31.

 

As part of this year’s enhanced platform, NASCAR and Coca-Cola will introduce the NASCAR Heroes Pass, a fan-driven initiative designed to honor military service members in a lasting and meaningful way.

 

From May 1 through May 31, fans can visit NASCAR.com/Salutes to nominate a deserving active duty service member or veteran from any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. GOVX will verify nominees to ensure authenticity and integrity of the program. A total of 250 recipients will be selected to receive a NASCAR Heroes Pass, granting them lifetime access to NASCAR races — defined as two tickets to one participating track annually for 20 years.

 

The program is designed to go beyond recognition by creating a lifelong connection between NASCAR and those who serve, while encouraging fan participation and storytelling throughout the month.

 

“For more than a decade, NASCAR Salutes has been a cornerstone of how our sport honors the military community,” said Jess Smith, Vice President of Brand at NASCAR. “With the introduction of the NASCAR Heroes Pass as part of NASCAR Salutes 250 Together with Coca-Cola, we’re deepening that commitment in a way that creates lasting impact and celebrates service for years to come.”

 

NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca-Cola has delivered meaningful at-track experiences for servicemembers and their families, united partners across the motorsports industry and driven critical investments in military and veteran service organizations through NASCAR Impact and other league-wide efforts. The program builds each year toward Memorial Day Weekend and the 600 Miles of Remembrance, where every NASCAR Cup Series driver takes the green flag with the name of a fallen service member displayed on their car.

 

“As Coca‑Cola proudly celebrates America’s 250th anniversary throughout the year, this Military Appreciation Month is especially meaningful,” said Don Rouse, Vice President of Sports & Entertainment at Coca‑Cola North America. “NASCAR Salutes Together with Coca‑Cola is a cornerstone of our partnership, and we’re honored to provide Heroes Passes to deserving servicemembers and veterans so they can experience the excitement of NASCAR for years to come.”

 

Honor and Remember will again collaborate with NASCAR teams to host Gold Star Families at Charlotte Motor Speedway as part of the 600 Miles of Remembrance. As a NASCAR Impact partner, the organization continues to support families who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.

 

NASCAR Impact will also continue its work with Sound Off, a nonprofit focused on expanding access to mental health resources for veterans and active duty servicemembers through a peer-to-peer support platform.

 

As part of this year’s NASCAR Salutes 250 Together with Coca-Cola program, NASCAR will:

 

Host at-track experiences for military members, veterans and their families, including:

 

– Discounted grandstand tickets for military members all season long through NASCAR MilTix Presented by GOVX. Active military and veterans can verify their status and purchase tickets by visiting NASCAR.com/miltix.

 

– Complimentary grandstand tickets and VIP experiences throughout May for service members from local bases, made possible by Chevrolet’s NASCAR Troops to the Track program and Vet Tix.

– The “Mobility Pit Box,” which will welcome mobility-impaired race fans and veterans at select events, continuing Toyota’s commitment to “Mobility for All.”

 

Bring together the motorsports industry in recognition of the military, including:

 

– O’Reilly Auto Parts, featuring patriotic red, white and blue windshield headers during the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

 

– Craftsman, displaying red, white and blue windshield decals on all NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series entries during race weekend at Charlotte.

 

– Goodyear, continuing its tradition of replacing its iconic “Eagle” sidewall design with “Honor and Remember” for the Coca-Cola 600.

 

– Mechanix Wear, outfitting NASCAR officials with special camouflage gloves for race weekend.

 

Invest in veteran and military service organizations so they can continue their critical work, including:

 

– Sound Off

 

– Honor and Remember

 

NASCAR Salutes 250 Together with Coca-Cola represents an evolution of one of the sport’s most meaningful initiatives — bringing fans, partners and the industry together to honor service, celebrate America’s legacy and create lasting connections with the military community for years to come.

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Contest begins 5/1/26 and ends on 5/31/26. Open to U.S. residents, 18+. See Official Rules for eligibility and complete details: nascar.com/salutes. NASCAR, LLC, NASCAR Digital Media, LLC, and The Coca-Cola Company are not sponsors of this Contest.

 

 

Chastain visits Arlington National Cemetery, lays wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 

April 30, 2026

 

By Cameron Richardson

For the NASCAR Wire Service

 

ARLINGTON, Va. - Few motorsports events carry the prestige of the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway during Memorial Day weekend. One of the honors the defending winner of the crown-jewel event participates in is the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

 

Eleven months removed from his last-to-first victory in the 400-lapper, Chastain felt the gravity instantly when he entered Arlington National Cemetery for the first time on Wednesday.

 

"When we turned in, we met out front here, got the SUVs and rode into the gate, and it just felt like a different world," Chastain said, "to think about what this property was when this started, and what it has amassed into, and how many graves there are here, and what that signifies across the history of this country -- absolutely surreal. I can't grasp what it is behind those gates and how special they made that whole ceremony for us."

 

Upon entry to Arlington National Cemetery, visitors are hit with the sobering reminder of those who made the ultimate sacrifice across generations. Over 400,000 fallen Americans lie at rest in the cemetery with an average of 30 funerals taking place daily across the property's 639 acres.

 

With stops that included a visit to the memorial of the astronauts lost in both the Columbia and Challenger space shuttle missions and the headstone of First Lieutenant Audie L. Murphy -- a veteran recognized as the most decorated combat soldier in World War II -- Chastain, Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks and family members from the pair took in the solemn sights that matched a gloomy and cold morning.

 

When it was time for Chastain and Marks, accompanied by Charlotte Motor Speedway President Greg Walter and 2025 Coke 600 race-winning crew chief Phil Surgen, to get the rundown of the wreath-laying ceremony and witness the Changing of the Guard at the tomb, Chastain felt the weight of the moment.

 

"(I was) more nervous for that than a Cup race on Sunday, for sure," Chastain said. "I (had) clammy hands, sweating. I mean, it's a cool day, perfect day to be in a suit and my socks got a little wet there. Just nerves to walk the steps and to stay in sync with the guard, listening to them and then prepping us, you realize how thought out all this is, how long they've been doing this no matter the weather. We were here on a day where we were very questionable about what kind of weather we were going to get. We knew we were going to be there rain or shine."

 

With family, students and general visitors on hand to witness the Changing of the Guard and the wreath-laying, a heavy silence fell in the minutes after the 11 a.m. ET clock bells rang to signal the change, and every precise step and shoe click carried the preciousness of life and honoring the memory of those lost. The silence was layered with the playing of "Taps" with every perfect note symbolizing gratitude and respect.

 

Marks, who also made his first trip to Arlington National Cemetery, said he was reminded of how his day-to-day operations are put into perspective during a visit like this.

 

"To walk down those steps and to hear 'Taps,' it's emotional. It's really, really emotional," Marks said. "It's heavy, but it's an honor and it's just really humbling. I had this moment there thinking it's amazing that we're here because of race cars, because of something so inconsequential and meaningless as a race car. We're meaningful in that we're entertaining people, we're inspiring people and we're supporting our families by finding lines of work that we're good at and passionate about. It was just a great, humbling moment."

 

Donning the Coke 600 ring and capping the year-long celebration of his biggest NASCAR victory is one area of pride for Chastain, but one that will stick with him longest from the visit is having his family on sight to witness him partake in the ceremony.

 

From the humble farming grounds of Alva, Florida, to just outside the United States' capital, Chastain couldn't be more grateful to be joined by the people who got him to where he is now.

 

"My grandparents are here. Meemaw, my granddaddy on my dad's side -- a very incredible experience for them to get on a plane, leave Alva and come up here," Chastain said. "It's tough for them and I'm thankful that they made the trek, and my family for helping them get here. They've never booked an Uber, never ridden in an Uber before, and they're jumping in cars and buses to get here and a plane to fly up. Really thankful for the group that came up. It means more when they're here."

 

The reminder of May's Coke 600 also serves as an upcoming event the Trackhouse organization has circled on their calendar.

 

It's no secret Trackhouse has been behind the 8-ball early in the 2026 season, with Chastain highest among the team's three full-time drivers in points at just 18th, and just two top fives combined in 10 races among Chastain, Shane van Gisbergen and rookie Connor Zilisch.

 

With Arlington as a lasting reminder of sacrifice and what Trackhouse is able to do because of those who served, Marks said Charlotte could be a big turnaround.

 

"I think going back as defending winners, after having days like this in Arlington, it's going to put some wind in our sails," Marks said. "We've got a lot of work to do right now in our company to build faster race cars. Because of all the lean-in content, the tune-in stuff, it's imagery of your team winning, of you winning the race and so you're sort of inundated with this imagery of what a year prior meant for your company. This Coke 600 truly is one of the greatest wins, if not the greatest win that we've had in the history of the company.

 

"We know going into the 600, we've got a driver that can win, we've got a team that can win and hopefully we're back here a year from today."

 

--30--

 

 

PIT BOX: For the first time in 35 years, Oxford Plains Speedway welcomes the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

 

April 29, 2026

 

By Adam Fenwick

NASCAR Wire Service

 

Almost 35 years have passed since the roar of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour has been heard in Oxford, Maine. That changes Saturday night when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour takes center stage for the running of the All States Materials Group 150 at Oxford Plains Speedway (6:15 p.m. ET on FloRacing).

 

The track, which opened for business in May of 1950, previously hosted NASCAR’s oldest division five times during the series’ inaugural season in 1985. That event was won by Richie Evans, his final Modified Tour triumph prior to his passing a few weeks later.

 

The series raced at Oxford Plains from 1985-88 and again in 1991, with Jimmy Spencer, Mike McLaughlin and Jeff Fuller collecting wins. The NASCAR Cup Series also hosted events at Oxford Plains Speedway in the 1960s, with Bobby Allison and Richard Petty collecting wins in the three events there.

 

Tickets to the All States Materials Group 150 will be available trackside. Below is everything you need to know about the fourth event of the 2026 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season.

 

All States Materials Group 150 at Oxford Plains Speedway

 

There is no NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver hotter than Stephen Kopcik.

 

The driver from Newtown, Connecticut has won the last two Modified Tour events — at Martinsville Speedway in March and Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park in April — and finds himself atop the series standings for the first time in his young career.

 

In fact, by winning his first and second career races in consecutive events, Kopcik made a bit of history. He is now just the second driver to win his first two Modified Tour events in consecutive races, joining 1993 series champion Rick Fuller. If Kopcik wins Saturday’s event at Oxford Plains, he will become the first driver in series history to win his first three career events in consecutive races.

 

A strong field of competitors will try to deny Kopcik’s pursuit of history Saturday evening. Among them are Matt Hirschman, who is one of the few drivers in the field with ample experience and at least one previous victory at Oxford Plains Speedway. Another likely contender is Jon McKennedy, who has won at Oxford Plains Speedway in Supermodified competition.

 

Austin Beers, who continues to ride an incredible top-10 streak that has reached 33 consecutive events, should also be among the contenders Saturday as he continues pursuit of his second straight Modified Tour championship. Ron Silk, who has finished second in the last two Modified Tour events at Martinsville and Thompson, will try to break into Victory Lane for the first time this year.

 

Justin Bonsignore will attempt to get his season back on track after a few subpar events with a strong performance at Oxford Plains Speedway. Other notable entrants include Patrick Emerling, Tyler Rypkema, Kyle Bonsignore, Craig Lutz and Eric Goodale, among others.

 

The full entry list for Saturday’s All States Materials Group 150 is available at NASCAR.com/Regional.

 

Race: All States Materials Group 150

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026

Track: Oxford Plains Speedway

Layout: 0.375-mile asphalt oval

Location: Oxford, Maine

Start time: 6:15 p.m. ET

Laps: 150

Posted Awards: $113,132

Tickets: At track

How to Watch: FloRacing

 

SCHEDULE: Saturday, May 2: Practice from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. ET … Final practice from 2:40 to 3:10 p.m. ET … American Racer Pole Award qualifying at 4:20 p.m. ET … Start of the All States Materials Group 150 at 6:15 p.m. ET (150 Laps / 56.25 Miles)

 

QUALIFYING: Two consecutive qualifying laps. Faster lap determines qualifying position. Adjustments or repairs may not be made on the vehicle after the vehicle has taken the green flag at the start/finish line. NASCAR reserves the right to have more than one vehicle engage in qualifying runs at the same time. Starting field for the Oxford Plains 150 is limited to 28 starters including Provisional Positions.

 

TIRE ALLOTMENT: The maximum tire allotment available for this event is eleven (11) tires per team. All tires used for qualifying and the race must be purchased at the track and scanned by NASCAR Officials, unless otherwise approved in advance by the Series Director. Four (4) tires must be used for qualifying and to begin the race. All qualifying tires must remain in impound until released by NASCAR Officials. The remaining tire allotment may be used for practice and/or change tires during the event. A maximum of three (3) tires of the allotment may be used as change tires. The tire change rule is two (2) tires per stop. This includes “swapping” tires front to back.

 

 

NASCAR names Steve O'Donnell new CEO; Ben Kennedy COO

 

April 25, 2026

 

By Holly Cain

NASCAR Wire Service

 

TALLADEGA, Ala. – Noting its always-evolving emphasis on growth and innovation, NASCAR announced Saturday major changes to its leadership structure naming Steve O’Donnell as the sport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Ben Kennedy as the Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately.

 

The New Jersey-native O’Donnell, 57, is now the first non-France family member to hold the position of CEO in the 78-year history of the sport and assumes the role from NASCAR Chairman Jim France, who has served as CEO since August, 2018. France will remain NASCAR’s Chairman of the Board of Directors. Lesa France Kennedy will remain Executive Vice Chair and the NASCAR Board of Directors remains unchanged as well.

 

After serving as a longtime member of NASCAR’s executive team - a 30-year tenure in the sport - O’Donnell now assumes “all strategic and operational leadership for NASCAR, its affiliated racing series and businesses.” He had previously served as the sport’s COO and was named NASCAR president in March, 2025.

 

Kennedy, 34, a fourth-generation member of NASCAR’s founding France family, will now lead NASCAR’s competition department in addition to his longtime role overseeing “track and event operations, racing innovation, hospitality and venue strategy.”

 

After coming to the microphone to thank NASCAR employees for their work and forward progress during his tenure, saying he believed, “we have the finest team of people working and running NASCAR that we've ever had in our entire history.

 

Moments later France turned and motioned to O’Donnell, “So Steve, you’ve got the wheel, partner.’’

 

“I am incredibly proud of the strength and stability we’ve achieved across the sport, which gives me tremendous confidence in our plan to transition leadership to Steve as NASCAR’s next CEO and Ben as COO,” France said in announcing the new roles.

 

“Together, they represent the future of the sport, and along with our world-class executive team and race team partners in the garage, they will guide NASCAR into its exciting next era.”

 

O’Donnell certainly brings a wide-reaching resume to his latest leadership role having worked in the sport’s competition, operations and marketing departments “from grassroots racing through the NASCAR Cup Series.’’ In his new role, O’Donnell will continue to lead strategic plans in succession and NASCAR’s next media rights and content distribution deals.

 

He spoke Saturday about creating a renewed, unified direction

 

“When we're at our best as a sport, the teams, the tracks, manufacturers, television partners, OEMs, drivers, we're all working together and we're aligned to make each other better,’’ O’Donnell said.

 

“The first goal that we've got is to really unite our industry. I want to create a culture where there's collaboration, a genuine collaboration, where everybody wins.

 

"The great news I think for us is we're not starting from scratch. We're close to 80 years of building a foundation. We've got racing series, not just Cup, but a portfolio of racing series that's unrivaled in all of motorsports.”

 

For Kennedy, the increased leadership role seems like a very natural evolution. He has served in multiple positions within the sport and been responsible for several major successful innovations. He will now oversee a wider range of “business and competition-critical functions” including the Competition department. He will continue in his role overseeing the compilation of the sport’s schedule, including the addition of new marquee events such as this summer’s Freeway Insurance 500 street race at San Diego’s Naval Base Coronado.

 

Addressing the room, Kennedy immediately thanked his uncle France and mom, Lesa France Kennedy for the longtime work they have done leading the sport.

 

“You think about everything this sport has accomplished over the last several years, going to new locations from a schedule perspective, all the work that [Executive Vice President] John Probst and the team have done on the competition side, bringing new cars, thinking about our race portfolio, what the future that is going to bring to the table.

 

“I've really enjoyed working with the events and venues team. I think it's neat to be able to somewhat follow in my mom's [France Kennedy] footsteps. She was always on the track side of the business, working with International Speedway Corporation.

 

“We have a great group of people that are second to none in this industry,’’ Kennedy continued. “I think it's rare that you find people that are truly passionate and care about this sport. We have a lot of that.

 

“Look forward to the new challenge, rolling up our sleeves and getting back to work.”

 

As official word of the new leadership became public Saturday, drivers and teams responded with positive feedback.

 

“It’s great for him, obviously he’s been dedicated to the sport for a long time so for him to be able to step aside and allow Steve O’Donnell and Ben [Kennedy] to fill those roles and bring in new management I feel like was going to happen at some point,’’ Spire Motorsports veteran driver Michael McDowell said shortly after the news came out.

 

“Honestly I don’t think it changes a whole lot because we were already there a little bit, feel like new titles but I feel comfortable with where the sport’s at and where we’re headed.’’

 

The ambiance was unmistakable – the press conference room inside Talladega Superspeedway was filled with track presidents, NASCAR employees, industry insiders and team members all curious and optimistic about the sport’s new direction.

 

“NASCAR has always been an American original,’’ O’Donnell said. “My job, our job, I think all of our jobs, is to make sure that the next generation of fans, wherever they grow up, whatever they do, wherever they come from, whatever makes them unique, knows that this sport belongs to them, not because we changed who we are but because new fans recognize what our core fans have known all along: that we're a bad-ass American sport.”

 

 

CRAFTSMAN truck series

 Fri. Feb. 13 Fresh From Florida 250 7:30PM FS1
Sat. Feb. 21 FR8 208 1:30PM FS1
Sat. Feb. 28 Series Race at St. Petersburg 12:00PM FOX
Fri. March 20 Sober or Slammer 200 7:30PM FS1
Fri. April 3 Black’s Tire 200 4:30PM FS1
Fri. April 10 Tennessee Army National Guard 250 7:30PM FS1
Fri. May 1 SpeedyCash.com 250 8:00PM FS1
Fri. May. 8 Mission 176 at The Glen 4:30PM FS1
Sat. May 15 ECOSAVE 200 5:00PM FS1
Fri. May 22 NC Education Lottery 200 7:30PM FS1
Fri. May 29 Flote 200 8:00PM FS1
Sat. June 6 DQS Solutions & Staffing 250 1:30PM FS1
Fri. June 19 Series Race at San Diego 7:00PM FS1
Sat. July 11 LiUNA 150 1:00PM FS1
Sat. July 18 Window World 250 12:30PM FS1
Fri. July 24 TSport 200 8:00PM FS1
Fri, Aug. 14 eero 250 7:30PM FS1
Sat. Aug. 22 Team EJP 175 1:30PM FS1
Thurs. Sep. 17 UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics 8:00PM FS1
Sat. Sep. 26 Heart of Healthcare 200 1:00PM FS1
Fri. Oct. 9 Series Race at Charlotte 5:00PM FS1
Fri. Oct. 16 Series Race at Phoenix 7:30PM FS1
Fri. Oct. 23 Love’s RV Stop 225 4:00PM FS1
Fri. Oct. 30 Zip Buy Now Pay Later 200 6:00PM FS1
Fri. Nov. 6 Championship race 7:30PM FS1

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