Ben Kennedy (NASCAR)
Ben Kennedy | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kennedy at Road America in 2017 | |||||||
| Executive Vice President NASCAR Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer | |||||||
| Assumed office March 10, 2022 | |||||||
| Personal details | |||||||
| Born | December 26, 1991 Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. | ||||||
| Parents |
| ||||||
| 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 Xfinity Series career | |||||||
| 17 races run over 2 years | |||||||
| 2017 position | 23rd | ||||||
| Best finish | 23rd (2017) | ||||||
| First race | 2016 American Ethanol E15 250 (Iowa) | ||||||
| Last race | 2017 Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead) | ||||||
| |||||||
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career | |||||||
| 73 races run over 4 years | |||||||
| 2016 position | 7th | ||||||
| Best finish | 7th (2016) | ||||||
| First race | 2013 UNOH 200 (Bristol) | ||||||
| Last race | 2016 Ford EcoBoost 200 (Homestead) | ||||||
| First win | 2016 UNOH 200 (Bristol) | ||||||
| |||||||
| 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 Series Rookie of the Year | ||||||
| Statistics up to date as of 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
General manager of Truck Series
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
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
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]
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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.
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
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
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kennedy, Ben (February 24, 2022). "Ben Kennedy - SVP, Strategy & Innovation - NASCAR | LinkedIn". LinkedIn. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "INSIGHT: How Ben Kennedy swapped the cockpit for NASCAR's conference room". RACER. 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy's leadership role evolves at NASCAR". Official Site Of NASCAR. 2021-10-07. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
- ^ Waack, Terrin (March 10, 2022). "O'Donnell, Kennedy earn new roles with 'another opportunity to continue to push'". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.
- ^ "NASCAR implements executive shakeup to get ready for new era". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. 2024-07-17. Retrieved 2024-07-17.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Drivers 25 and under to watch: Ben Kennedy". Fox Sports. January 17, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy wins in Pensacola". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. April 13, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
- ^ Spencer, Lee (April 16, 2013). "Kennedy has bright future in racing". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2013-04-18.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Staff report. "Kennedy wins Most Popular Driver Award". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2022-02-24.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Bromberg, Nick (July 9, 2015). "Ben Kennedy's truck gets into catchfence at Kentucky (Video)". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Knight, Chris (April 25, 2016). "Ben Kennedy Set To Join GMS Racing". Catchfence. Retrieved April 25, 2016.
- ^ "Chevrolet driver Ben Kennedy gets his first career NASCAR trucks victory". Autoweek. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
- ^ "Kennedy Eliminated in Round of 6 After Two-Team Effort in 2016 – POPULAR SPEED". www.popularspeed.com. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
- ^ "2016 Camping World Truck Series Standings | Driver Points". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy scores part-time XFINITY Series ride with RCR". Fox News. 2017-02-07. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy secures partial season ride with RCR Xfinity team". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
- ^ "Eyes on XFINITY: Ben Kennedy Counting Down the Days Until He's Back in a Racecar". Frontstretch. 2017-04-13. Retrieved 2017-04-13.
- ^ McFadin, Daniel (2017-04-17). "Ben Kennedy adds 12 Xfinity starts with GMS Racing to schedule". NASCAR Talk. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy more than doubles his 2017 NASCAR Xfinity schedule". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 2017-04-24.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2013 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2015 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2016 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2013 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy – 2015 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
External links
- Official website
- Ben Kennedy driver statistics at Racing-Reference