Ben Kennedy (NASCAR)

Benjamin Kennedy (born December 26, 1991) is an American motorsports executive and former professional stock car racing driver and team owner. He currently serves as NASCAR's senior vice president of racing development and strategy.

Ben Kennedy
Kennedy at Road America in 2017
Senior Vice President of Racing Development and Strategy, NASCAR
Assumed office
March 10, 2022
Personal details
Born (1991-12-26) December 26, 1991
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.

Executive career

General manager of Truck Series

On January 30, 2018, Kennedy was named general manager of the Camping World Truck Series.[1] Kennedy spent one season in the position before transitioning to a strategic-based role.

NASCAR front office

In January 2019, Kennedy was hired by NASCAR to be a part of the racing operations team as well as help develop the sport internationally.[2] He was promoted a year later when he became the Vice President of Racing Development,[3] and promoted again in July 2020 as the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives,[4] where he oversaw racing development initiatives for all three national series. In June 2021, he named the senior vice president of strategy and innovation, where he reports directly to Steve Phelps, the president of NASCAR.[5]

Kennedy is currently tasked with creating the schedule for the three top series of the sport. It was in this position that he helped craft the idea of the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum, which saw a pre-season race being held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.[6] According to NASCAR, he is the "point man" of the schedule.[7]

On March 10, 2022, NASCAR announced that Kennedy would be promoted in the company, with his new title being the senior vice president of racing development and strategy.[8]

Racing career
Kennedy's 2013 K&N East car

Kennedy began his racing career on the short tracks of central Florida, winning championships in Super Late Models at Orlando Speedworld, and in Pro Truck racing at Orlando Speedworld and New Smyrna Speedway.[9] He made his touring series debut in the K&N Pro Series East in 2010 and began racing the series full-time in 2011.[9]

In 2012, in addition to running the full K&N Pro Series East schedule, Kennedy competed in the first Euro Racecar Series event competed under NASCAR sanctioning, winning the event at Tours Speedway, the first NASCAR race held on an oval in Europe.[10]

Kennedy at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2015

After finishing ninth in series points in 2012,[9] Kennedy was named by Fox Sports as one of NASCAR's "drivers 25 and under to watch" in January 2013.[11] In April 2013, Kennedy won his first career race in the K&N Pro Series East, in the series' first race held at Five Flags Speedway in Kennedy's native Florida.[12] Kennedy also announced that he would be driving a truck prepared by Turner Scott Motorsports in three Camping World Truck Series races in the 2013 season,[13] running in events at Bristol Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway;[14] he ran a total of five races, posting a best finish of fourth at Martinsville Speedway.[15] He was named the K&N Pro Series East's Most Popular Driver for the 2013 season.[16]

In December 2013, it was announced that Kennedy would drive the No. 31 Chevrolet Silverado full-time in the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season for Turner Scott Motorsports, competing for Rookie of the Year.[15] He got 8 top tens and won ROTY honors. The team closed at the end of the season.

In December 2014, it was announced that Kennedy would move to Red Horse Racing, driving the No. 11 Local Motors Toyota Tundra.

On July 9, 2015, with seven laps to go in Kentucky, Kennedy was clipped by David Gilliland into the fence where the back of his truck received hard damage, causing the race to be red-flagged and eventually ended prematurely with five laps left, though he was uninjured.[17]

On February 14, 2016, he announced his return to Red Horse Racing with new sponsor JACOB Companies. However, on April 15, RHR announced Kennedy had parted ways with the team.[18] Ten days later, Kennedy joined GMS Racing to drive the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado.[19] On August 17, 2016, after a falter by both Daniel Suárez and William Byron, he won the August Bristol race after a duel with Brett Moffitt.[20] By virtue of that win, he qualified for the inaugural Truck Series Chase. Kennedy advanced to the Round of 6 from the Round of 8 but was eliminated following the Lucas Oil 150.[21] He finished seventh in points.[22]

Also during the 2016 season, Kennedy started his first career Xfinity Series race, driving the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway. He started sixth and finished tenth.

Kennedy at Road America in 2017

On February 6, 2017, it was announced that Kennedy would drive nine races for Richard Childress Racing in the Xfinity Series, splitting time in the No. 2 entry with Austin Dillon and Paul Menard.[23][24] Kennedy received at least one offer to drive in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series in that offseason from an undisclosed team, as well as other offers, but took the part-time ride and advice that comes with being around an established Cup organization.[25] He later expanded his schedule with a twelve-race agreement to drive the No. 96 car for GMS Racing.[26][27]

Team ownership

Ben Kennedy fielded a NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West team. The team started fielding the No. 96 Chevrolet part-time for Ben Kennedy in the K&N East in 2010. In 2011 and 2012, the team became full-time in the East and part-time in the K&N West, and in the West, the car was a Toyota. In 2013, the team only fielded the K&N East full-time and made two races in Camping World Truck Series with a 15th best team's finish at Iowa. In 2014, with Ben Kennedy moving to compete full-time in the Camping World Truck series for Turner Scott Motorsports, Kenzie Ruston raced full-time in the No. 96 in the K&N East. In 2015, the team moved to Toyota and renumbered the car to No. 3 to Kaz Grala in both K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West. Ben Kennedy also made one start in K&N West in the old No. 96. In 2016, Grala returned to a part-time schedule in the K&N East. In 2017, the No. 96 returned for Spencer Davis and a second car appeared in the form of the No. 20 for Anthony Sergi.

In 2021, Kennedy fielded the No. 43 Chevrolet in the ARCA Menards Series East for Daniel Dye. However, Dye left for GMS Racing mid-season and another driver did not replace him in the No. 43. Kennedy has not fielded a car in the series since then. However, the team continues to field the No. 43 for Daniel Dye in various late model racing events.

Personal life

Kennedy is the son of Lesa France Kennedy[28] and the late Dr. Bruce Kennedy,[29] who died in a 2007 plane crash. He is the grandson of Bill France Jr. and great-grandson of Bill France Sr., the founder of NASCAR. He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Florida, with a degree in sports management.[13] In 2017, Kennedy participated in an episode of American Ninja Warrior which was filmed at Daytona International Speedway.[25]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

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

Xfinity Series
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
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
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
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
  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 February 24, 2022.
  4. "New Voices Under 30: Ben Kennedy". bryandev.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  5. "Ben Kennedy Driven to Innovate as Young Emerging Executive". Racing America. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  6. "INSIGHT: How Ben Kennedy swapped the cockpit for NASCAR's conference room". RACER. January 12, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  7. "Ben Kennedy's leadership role evolves at NASCAR". Official Site Of NASCAR. October 7, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  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 Home Tracks: Ben Kennedy". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group LLC. February 2013. Archived from the original on April 7, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  10. Christley, Jason (July 7, 2012). "Kennedy Makes History At Tours". NASCAR.com. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  11. "Drivers 25 and under to watch: Ben Kennedy". Fox Sports. January 17, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  12. "Ben Kennedy wins in Pensacola". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  13. Spencer, Lee (April 16, 2013). "Kennedy has bright future in racing". Fox Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  14. Kelly, Godwin (April 15, 2013). "Kennedy enjoys first win; ready for truck debut". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
  15. "Ben Kennedy to drive for Turner Scott Motorsports". Yahoo! Sports. December 16, 2013. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
  16. Staff report. "Kennedy wins Most Popular Driver Award". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  17. Bromberg, Nick (July 9, 2015). "Ben Kennedy's truck gets into catchfence at Kentucky (Video)". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  18. 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.
  19. Knight, Chris (April 25, 2016). "Ben Kennedy Set To Join GMS Racing". Catchfence. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
  20. "Chevrolet driver Ben Kennedy gets his first career NASCAR trucks victory". Autoweek. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  21. "Kennedy Eliminated in Round of 6 After Two-Team Effort in 2016 – POPULAR SPEED". www.popularspeed.com. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  22. "2016 Camping World Truck Series Standings | Driver Points". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  23. "Ben Kennedy scores part-time XFINITY Series ride with RCR". Fox News. February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  24. "Ben Kennedy secures partial season ride with RCR Xfinity team". Motorsport.com. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  25. "Eyes on XFINITY: Ben Kennedy Counting Down the Days Until He's Back in a Racecar". Frontstretch. April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  26. McFadin, Daniel (April 17, 2017). "Ben Kennedy adds 12 Xfinity starts with GMS Racing to schedule". NASCAR Talk. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  27. "Ben Kennedy more than doubles his 2017 NASCAR Xfinity schedule". Motorsport.com. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
  28. "Ben Kennedy: There Are Different Things I Wish I Spent More Time Doing". Frontstretch. December 22, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  29. Weaver, Matt (January 31, 2018). "NASCAR founder's great-grandson forgos driving career to join Truck Series front office". Autoweek. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  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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