Drivers Say NASCAR CEO Transition Brings Clarity Not Disruption

“I feel like when Jim came in circa ‘18, ‘19, I think we all knew that was kind of like, ‘Hey, this is the right guy and the right time to take NASCAR to the next level.’” He said. “And I feel like he did a lot of things that he’ll probably not get credit for. The last year was obviously very tough with things that were going on in the sport and lawsuits and beyond, but I think everyone pretty much knew that was not going to be a 20-30 year run. “

If there is a tangible shift, Keselowski points to something less dramatic but far more important: clarity.

“I think there’s a lot of positives to having role clarity,” he said. “It’s been my business experience at least that having role clarity is so, so important when you’re trying to pull an entity together. I sense that with that announcement that’s what was achieved as much as anything, which I can really strongly get behind.”

Kennedy’s rise adds another layer to the transition. A great-grandson of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr., he also brings something rare to the executive suite: recent experience behind the wheel. He competed in the NASCAR Truck Series from 2013 to 2016, even picking up a win along the way.

That’s not lost on Tyler Reddick, who raced against him during those years.

“Well, it's hard for me to say one or the other, and I think that's what makes him great for the role,” he said. “I remember back to Truck days, we were battling, week in and week out. He's done a really good job; with the positions he's held.”

Ben Kennedy competed in the NASCAR Truck Series from 2013 to 2016, even picking up a win along the way.Sean Gardner - Getty Images

So while the org chart has changed, the people behind it have not suddenly appeared. O’Donnell and Kennedy have been central figures in NASCAR’s recent evolution, not spectators waiting for a promotion.

Which is why, across the garage, the prevailing mood isn’t uncertainty, it’s a quiet continuity.

“it definitely makes sense,” Cindric said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of experience from those ends for those moving up into new roles, and I don’t think it’s going to impact anything directly right away, just curious to see where everyone takes it from here.”

Reddick, meanwhile, sees even less reason to wait and wonder.

“I'm excited about what the future looks like,” he said. “Steve's (O’Donnell) been committed to the sport for a very long time, been a part of it in a lot of ways. Yeah, I'm excited about the future. I think the future is bright for NASCAR.”

Big news, sure. Just not a big surprise.