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Ben Kennedy (NASCAR)

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Ben Kennedy
Kennedy at Road America in 2017
Executive Vice President NASCAR
Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer
Incumbent
Assumed office
March 10, 2022
Personal details
Born (1991-12-26) December 26, 1991 (age 33)
Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
Parents
RelativesBill France Sr. (great grandfather)
Bill France Jr. (grandfather)
Jim France (great uncle)
Brian France (uncle)
EducationUniversity of Florida (BA)
OccupationNASCAR executive;
Auto racing driver;
ARCA Menards Series East team owner
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
17 races run over 2 years
2017 position23rd
Best finish23rd (2017)
First race2016 American Ethanol E15 250 (Iowa)
Last race2017 Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 3 0
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
73 races run over 4 years
2016 position7th
Best finish7th (2016)
First race2013 UNOH 200 (Bristol)
Last race2016 Ford EcoBoost 200 (Homestead)
First win2016 UNOH 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
2014NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year
Last updated on: March 10, 2022.

Benjamin Kennedy (born December 26, 1991) is an American motorsports executive and former professional stock car racing driver. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer for NASCAR.

Executive career

[edit]

General manager of Truck Series

[edit]

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.

NASCAR front office

[edit]

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 President Steve 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 the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum, a pre-season exhibition race held at the Los 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]

Racing career

[edit]
Kennedy's 2013 K&N East car

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 and New Smyrna Speedway.[10] He made his touring series debut in the K&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 inaugural Euro Racecar Series event under NASCAR sanction. He won the race at Tours Speedway, marking the first NASCAR event held on an oval in Europe.[11]

Kennedy at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2015

After finishing ninth in series points in 2012,[10] Kennedy was highlighted by Fox 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 at Five Flags Speedway in his home state of Florida.[13] Kennedy also announced plans to compete in three Camping World Truck Series races with Turner Scott Motorsports,[14] racing at Bristol Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, and Homestead–Miami Speedway.[15] He ultimately participated in five events, achieving a best finish of fourth at Martinsville 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. 31 Chevrolet Silverado full-time for Turner Scott Motorsports in the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season, competing for Rookie 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. 11 Local Motors Toyota Tundra for Red Horse Racing.

On July 9, 2015, during a race in Kentucky, 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 joined GMS Racing to drive the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado.[21] On August 17, 2016, after setbacks for both Daniel Suárez and William Byron, Kennedy secured a victory in the Bristol race, defeating Brett Moffitt in a thrilling duel.[22] This win qualified him for the inaugural Truck Series Chase. Kennedy advanced from the Round of 8 to the Round of 6 but was eliminated after the Lucas Oil 150.[23] He finished the season seventh in points.[24]

During the 2016 season, Kennedy made his Xfinity Series debut, driving the No. 2 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing at Iowa Speedway. He qualified sixth and finished tenth.

Kennedy at Road America in 2017

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 with Austin Dillon and Paul Menard.[25][26] During the offseason, Kennedy received an offer to drive in the Monster 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 for GMS Racing.[28][29]

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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

Xfinity Series

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NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2016 Richard Childress Racing 2 Chevy DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL DOV CLT POC MCH IOW

10

DAY KEN NHA IND IOW GLN MOH BRI ROA DAR RCH CHI KEN DOV CLT KAN TEX PHO HOM 106th 01 [30]
2017 DAY ATL LVS PHO CAL TEX BRI RCH TAL

4

IOW

20

DAY

16

NHA

6

IOW

23

GLN MOH

26

ROA

18

KEN

11

DOV CLT KAN TEX PHO HOM

18

23rd 326 [31]
GMS Racing 96 Chevy CLT

25

DOV

18

POC MCH

36

KEN

32

IND

18

BRI

19

DAR

12

RCH CHI

Camping World Truck Series

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NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCWTC Pts Ref
2013 Ben Kennedy Racing 96 Chevy DAY MAR CAR KAN CLT DOV TEX KEN IOW ELD POC MCH BRI

20

MSP IOW

15

33rd 135 [32]
Turner Scott Motorsports 30 Chevy CHI

16

LVS TAL MAR

4

TEX PHO HOM

30

2014 31 DAY

15*

MAR

3

KAN

20

CLT

8

DOV

7

TEX

14

GTW

14

KEN

10

IOW

6

ELD

13

POC

13

MCH

19

BRI

21

MSP

16

CHI

7

NHA

13

LVS

7

TAL

28

MAR

16

TEX

15

PHO

11

HOM

17

9th 679 [33]
2015 Red Horse Racing 11 Toyota DAY

28

ATL

3

MAR

19

KAN

26

CLT

16

DOV

6

TEX

10

GTW

7

IOW

13

KEN

16

ELD

12

POC

11

MCH

25

BRI

15

MSP

3

CHI

12

NHA

23

LVS

3

TAL

25

MAR

14

TEX

9

PHO

24

HOM

4

9th 690 [34]
2016 DAY

23

ATL

15

MAR

11

7th 2162 [35]
GMS Racing 33 Chevy KAN

9

CLT

14

TEX

4

IOW

7

GTW

9

KEN

22

ELD

11

POC

7

BRI

1

MCH

11

MSP

8

CHI

26

NHA

11

LVS

4

TAL

5

MAR

18

TEX

13

PHO

9

HOM

14

24 DOV

13

K&N Pro Series East

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NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 NKNPSEC Pts Ref
2010 Ben Kennedy Racing 96 Chevy GRE SBO IOW MAR NHA LRP LEE JFC

24

NHA DOV 60th 91 [36]
2011 GRE

11

SBO

14

RCH

27

IOW

15

BGS

3

JFC

11

LGY

18

NHA

32

COL

19

GRE

22

NHA

16

DOV

12

13th 1367 [37]
2012 BRI

6

GRE

9

RCH

6

IOW

22

BGS

8

JFC

5

LGY

21

CNB

3

COL

7

IOW

19

NHA

25

DOV

4

GRE

16

CAR

9

9th 456 [38]
2013 BRI

10

GRE

17

FIF

1*

RCH

14

BGS

1

IOW

9

LGY

7

COL

9

IOW

11

VIR

4

GRE

10

NHA

26

DOV

12

RAL

6

4th 488 [39]
2017 Kevin Manion Motorsports 1 Toyota NSM GRE BRI SBO SBO MEM BLN TMP NHA IOW

7

GLN LGY NJM DOV 45th 38 [40]

K&N Pro Series West

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NASCAR K&N Pro Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 NKNPSWC Pts Ref
2011 Ben Kennedy Racing 96 Chevy PHO AAS MMP IOW LVS SON IRW EVG PIR CNS

8

PHO

15

34th 402 [41]
Toyota MRP

8

SPO AAS
2012 PHO

11

LHC MMP S99 IOW BIR LVS SON EVG CNS

9

IOW PIR SMP AAS PHO

10

27th 102 [42]
2015 Ben Kennedy Racing 96 Toyota KCR IRW TUS IOW SHA SON SLS IOW EVG CNS MER AAS PHO

25

69th 19 [43]

* Season still in progress

1 Ineligible for series points

References

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  1. ^ Crandall, Kelly (January 30, 2018). "Kennedy named Trucks GM in NASCAR personnel moves". Racer. Archived from the original on January 31, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  2. ^ Kennedy, Ben (February 24, 2022). "Ben Kennedy - SVP, Strategy & Innovation - NASCAR | LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Bianchi, Jordan. "NASCAR's future leader? Meet Ben Kennedy, former driver, current team owner and voice in the sport's future". The Athletic. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  4. ^ Bianchi, Jordan. "NASCAR's future leader? Meet Ben Kennedy, former driver, current team owner and voice in the sport's future". The Athletic. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  5. ^ Bianchi, Jordan. "NASCAR's future leader? Meet Ben Kennedy, former driver, current team owner and voice in the sport's future". The Athletic. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  6. ^ "INSIGHT: How Ben Kennedy swapped the cockpit for NASCAR's conference room". RACER. 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  7. ^ "Ben Kennedy's leadership role evolves at NASCAR". Official Site Of NASCAR. 2021-10-07. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  8. ^ Waack, Terrin (March 10, 2022). "O'Donnell, Kennedy earn new roles with 'another opportunity to continue to push'". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.
  9. ^ "NASCAR implements executive shakeup to get ready for new era". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
  10. ^ a b c "NASCAR Home Tracks: Ben Kennedy". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group LLC. February 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  11. ^ Christley, Jason (July 7, 2012). "Kennedy Makes History At Tours". NASCAR.com. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  12. ^ "Drivers 25 and under to watch: Ben Kennedy". Fox Sports. January 17, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  13. ^ "Ben Kennedy wins in Pensacola". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. April 13, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  14. ^ Spencer, Lee (April 16, 2013). "Kennedy has bright future in racing". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  15. ^ Kelly, Godwin (April 15, 2013). "Kennedy enjoys first win; ready for truck debut". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
  16. ^ "Ben Kennedy to drive for Turner Scott Motorsports". Yahoo! Sports. December 16, 2013. Archived from the original on 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  17. ^ Staff report. "Kennedy wins Most Popular Driver Award". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
  18. ^ "Ben Kennedy to drive for Turner Scott Motorsports". Yahoo! Sports. December 16, 2013. Archived from the original on 2016-06-10. Retrieved 2013-12-16.
  19. ^ Bromberg, Nick (July 9, 2015). "Ben Kennedy's truck gets into catchfence at Kentucky (Video)". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  20. ^ White, Tucker (April 17, 2016). "Ben Kennedy parts company with Red Horse Racing". SpeedwayMedia.com. Bristol, Tennessee: USA Today Sports Digital Properties. Retrieved April 17, 2016.
  21. ^ Knight, Chris (April 25, 2016). "Ben Kennedy Set To Join GMS Racing". Catchfence. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  22. ^ "Chevrolet driver Ben Kennedy gets his first career NASCAR trucks victory". Autoweek. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  23. ^ "Kennedy Eliminated in Round of 6 After Two-Team Effort in 2016 – POPULAR SPEED". www.popularspeed.com. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  24. ^ "2016 Camping World Truck Series Standings | Driver Points". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  25. ^ "Ben Kennedy scores part-time XFINITY Series ride with RCR". Fox News. 2017-02-07. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  26. ^ "Ben Kennedy secures partial season ride with RCR Xfinity team". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
  27. ^ "Eyes on XFINITY: Ben Kennedy Counting Down the Days Until He's Back in a Racecar". Frontstretch. 2017-04-13. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
  28. ^ McFadin, Daniel (2017-04-17). "Ben Kennedy adds 12 Xfinity starts with GMS Racing to schedule". NASCAR Talk. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  29. ^ "Ben Kennedy more than doubles his 2017 NASCAR Xfinity schedule". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
  30. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  31. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  32. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  33. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  34. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  35. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  36. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  37. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  38. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  39. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  40. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  41. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  42. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
  43. ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
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