Ben Kennedy
Kennedy atRoad America in 2017
Executive Vice PresidentNASCAR Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer
Incumbent
Assumed office March 10, 2022
Personal details
Born	(1991-12-26)December 26, 1991 (age 34) Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
Parents	Dr. Bruce Kennedy (father) Lesa Kennedy (mother)
Relatives	Bill France Sr. (great grandfather) Bill France Jr. (grandfather) Jim France (great uncle) Brian France (uncle)
Education	University of Florida(BA)
Occupation	NASCAR executive; Auto racing driver; ARCA Menards Series East team owner
NASCAR driver
NASCARO'Reilly Auto Parts Series career
17 races run over 2 years
2017 position	23rd
Best finish	23rd (2017)
First race	2016American Ethanol E15 250 (Iowa)
Last race	2017Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 3 0
NASCARCraftsman Truck Series career
73 races run over 4 years
2016 position	7th
Best finish	7th (2016)
First race	2013UNOH 200 (Bristol)
Last race	2016Ford EcoBoost 200 (Homestead)
First win	2016UNOH 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles 1 26 1
Previous series
2012 2011–2012, 2015 2010–2013, 2017	Racecar Euro Series NASCAR K&N Pro Series West NASCAR K&N Pro Series East
Awards
2014	NASCAR Camping World Truck SeriesRookie of the Year
Statistics up to date as of March 10, 2022.

Benjamin Kennedy (born December 26, 1991) is an Americanmotorsports executive and former professionalstock car racing driver. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer forNASCAR.

On January 30, 2018, Kennedy was appointed as the general manager of the Camping World Truck Series.^[1] After one season in the role, he transitioned to a position focused on strategic initiatives.

In January 2019, Kennedy joined NASCAR's racing operations team, focusing on the sport's international development.^[2] A year later, he was promoted to Vice President of Racing Development.^[3] In July 2020, he advanced to Vice President of Strategic Initiatives,^[4] overseeing racing development for NASCAR's three national series. By June 2021, he was named Senior Vice President of Strategy and Innovation, reporting directly to NASCAR PresidentSteve Phelps.^[5]

Kennedy is responsible for developing the schedules for the sport's top three series. In this role, he played a key part in introducing theBusch Light Clash at The Coliseum, a pre-season exhibition race held at theLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum.^[6] NASCAR refers to him as the "point man" for scheduling.^[7]

On March 10, 2022, NASCAR announced the promotion of Kennedy to Senior Vice President of Racing Development and Strategy.^[8]

On July 17, 2024, NASCAR further elevated him to the role of Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer as part of a major company restructuring.^[9]

Kennedy launched his racing career on the short tracks of central Florida, earning championships in Super Late Models at Orlando Speedworld and in Pro Truck racing at both Orlando Speedworld andNew Smyrna Speedway.^[10] He made his touring series debut in theK&N Pro Series East in 2010 and competed full-time in the series starting in 2011.^[10]

In 2012, Kennedy competed in the full K&N Pro Series East schedule and participated in the inauguralEuro Racecar Series event underNASCAR sanction. He won the race atTours Speedway, marking the first NASCAR event held on an oval in Europe.^[11]

After finishing ninth in series points in 2012,^[10] Kennedy was highlighted byFox Sports in January 2013 as one of NASCAR's "Drivers 25 and Under to Watch."^[12] Later that year, he secured his first career win in the K&N Pro Series East during the series' inaugural race atFive Flags Speedway in his home state of Florida.^[13] Kennedy also announced plans to compete in threeCamping World Truck Series races withTurner Scott Motorsports,^[14] racing atBristol Motor Speedway,Iowa Speedway, andHomestead–Miami Speedway.^[15] He ultimately participated in five events, achieving a best finish of fourth atMartinsville Speedway.^[16] Kennedy capped off the season by being named the K&N Pro Series East's Most Popular Driver for 2013.^[17]

In December 2013, it was announced that Kennedy would drive the No. 31Chevrolet Silverado full-time for Turner Scott Motorsports in the2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, competing forRookie of the Year.^[18] Kennedy earned eight top-ten finishes and claimed Rookie of the Year honors. However, the team ceased operations at the end of the season.

In December 2014, Kennedy was announced as the driver of the No. 11Local MotorsToyota Tundra forRed Horse Racing.

On July 9, 2015, during a race inKentucky, Kennedy was involved in an incident with seven laps remaining.David Gilliland clipped Kennedy, sending his truck into the fence and causing significant damage to the rear. The crash led to a red flag, and the race was ultimately called off with five laps remaining. Despite the severity of the crash, Kennedy was uninjured.^[19]

On February 14, 2016, Kennedy announced his return to Red Horse Racing with new sponsor JACOB Companies. However, on April 15, the team announced that Kennedy had parted ways with them.^[20] Just ten days later, he joinedGMS Racing to drive the No. 33Chevrolet Silverado.^[21] On August 17, 2016, after setbacks for bothDaniel Suárez andWilliam Byron, Kennedy secured a victory in theBristol race, defeatingBrett Moffitt in a thrilling duel.^[22] This win qualified him for the inauguralTruck Series Chase. Kennedy advanced from the Round of 8 to the Round of 6 but was eliminated after theLucas Oil 150.^[23] He finished the season seventh in points.^[24]

During the 2016 season, Kennedy made hisXfinity Series debut, driving the No. 2Chevrolet forRichard Childress Racing atIowa Speedway. He qualified sixth and finished tenth.

On February 6, 2017, it was announced that Kennedy would compete in nine Xfinity Series races for Richard Childress Racing, sharing the No. 2 car withAustin Dillon andPaul Menard.^[25][26] During the offseason, Kennedy received an offer to drive in theMonster Energy NASCAR Cup Series from an undisclosed team, along with other opportunities.^[27] However, he opted for the part-time Xfinity ride, valuing the experience and guidance available within an established Cup organization. Later, Kennedy expanded his schedule with a twelve-race agreement to drive the No. 96 car forGMS Racing.^[28][29]

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time.Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

^* Season still in progress

¹ Ineligible for series points

• Official website
• Ben Kennedy driver statistics at Racing-Reference

• Living people
• 1991 births
• Racing drivers from Daytona Beach, Florida
• NASCAR drivers
• University of Florida alumni
• France family
• Contestants on American game shows
• Richard Childress Racing drivers
• Auto racing executives

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use mdy dates from February 2026