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 | ||||||
| Last updated on: March 10, 2022. | |||||||
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 Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer.
Executive career
[edit]General manager of Truck Series
[edit]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
[edit]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]
On July 17, 2024, NASCAR announced that Kennedy would be promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer due the company with the major restructuring to its business.[9]
Racing career
[edit]
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.[10] He made his touring series debut in the K&N Pro Series East in 2010 and began racing the series full-time in 2011.[10]
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.[11]
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After finishing ninth in series points in 2012,[10] Kennedy was named by Fox Sports as one of NASCAR's "drivers 25 and under to watch" in January 2013.[12] 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.[13] 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,[14] running in events at Bristol Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway;[15] he ran a total of five races, posting a best finish of fourth at Martinsville Speedway.[16] He was named the K&N Pro Series East's Most Popular Driver for the 2013 season.[17]
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.[16] 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.[18]
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.[19] Ten days later, Kennedy joined GMS Racing to drive the No. 33 Chevrolet Silverado.[20] 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.[21] 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.[22] He finished seventh in points.[23]
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.
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.[24][25] 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.[26] He later expanded his schedule with a twelve-race agreement to drive the No. 96 car for GMS Racing.[27][28]
Team ownership
[edit] | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (July 2022) |
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
[edit]Kennedy is the son of Lesa France Kennedy[29] and the late Dr. Bruce Kennedy,[30] 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.[14] In 2017, Kennedy participated in an episode of American Ninja Warrior which was filmed at Daytona International Speedway.[26]
Motorsports career results
[edit]NASCAR
[edit](key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Xfinity Series
[edit]| 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 | [31] | |||||
| 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 | [32] | ||||||||||||||||||
| 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
[edit]| 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 | [33] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | [34] | ||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | [35] | |||||||||||||||
| 2016 | DAY 23 |
ATL 15 |
MAR 11 |
7th | 2162 | [36] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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
[edit]| 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 | [37] | ||||
| 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 | [38] | |||||
| 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 | [39] | |||
| 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 | [40] | |||
| 2017 | Kevin Manion Motorsports | 1 | Toyota | NSM | GRE | BRI | SBO | SBO | MEM | BLN | TMP | NHA | IOW 7 |
GLN | LGY | NJM | DOV | 45th | 38 | [41] |
K&N Pro Series West
[edit]| 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 | [42] | |||||
| 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 | [43] | ||||
| 2015 | Ben Kennedy Racing | 96 | Toyota | KCR | IRW | TUS | IOW | SHA | SON | SLS | IOW | EVG | CNS | MER | AAS | PHO 25 |
69th | 19 | [44] | |||
* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
References
[edit]- ^ 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 February 24, 2022.
- ^ "New Voices Under 30: Ben Kennedy". bryandev.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy Driven to Innovate as Young Emerging Executive". Racing America. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ "INSIGHT: How Ben Kennedy swapped the cockpit for NASCAR's conference room". RACER. January 12, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy's leadership role evolves at NASCAR". Official Site Of NASCAR. October 7, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ 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. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Drivers 25 and under to watch: Ben Kennedy". Fox Sports. January 17, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy wins in Pensacola". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. April 13, 2013. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ a b Spencer, Lee (April 16, 2013). "Kennedy has bright future in racing". Fox Sports. Retrieved April 18, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ Staff report. "Kennedy wins Most Popular Driver Award". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ 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 February 7, 2017.
- ^ "Kennedy Eliminated in Round of 6 After Two-Team Effort in 2016 – POPULAR SPEED". www.popularspeed.com. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- ^ "2016 Camping World Truck Series Standings | Driver Points". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy scores part-time XFINITY Series ride with RCR". Fox News. February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy secures partial season ride with RCR Xfinity team". Motorsport.com. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- ^ a b "Eyes on XFINITY: Ben Kennedy Counting Down the Days Until He's Back in a Racecar". Frontstretch. April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
- ^ McFadin, Daniel (April 17, 2017). "Ben Kennedy adds 12 Xfinity starts with GMS Racing to schedule". NASCAR Talk. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy more than doubles his 2017 NASCAR Xfinity schedule". Motorsport.com. Retrieved April 24, 2017.
- ^ "Ben Kennedy: There Are Different Things I Wish I Spent More Time Doing". Frontstretch. December 22, 2016. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
- ^ Weaver, Matt (January 31, 2018). "NASCAR founder's great-grandson forgos driving career to join Truck Series front office". Autoweek. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ "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
[edit]- Official website
- Ben Kennedy driver statistics at Racing-Reference