Ben Kennedy | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Vice President NASCAR Chief Venue & Racing Innovations Officer | |||||||
Assumed office March 10, 2022 | |||||||
Personal details | |||||||
Born | Daytona Beach,Florida,U.S. | December 26,1991||||||
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. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Venue &Racing Innovations Officer for NASCAR.
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 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]
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]
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]
(key) (Bold –Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics –Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * –Most laps led.)
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 |
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 |
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] |
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
Ryan Matthew Truex is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 20 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. Truex's older brother Martin was the 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Timothy Grant Hill is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 56 Toyota Tundra for his team, Hill Motorsports, and part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for MBM Motorsports.
Joseph Robert Gase is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the Nos. 35 and 53 Chevrolet Camaros for his own team, Joey Gase Motorsports and part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 44 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for NY Racing Team.
Harrison L. Rhodes is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 52 Chevrolet Camaro for Jimmy Means Racing. He is not related to NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver Ben Rhodes.
Ryan Austin Payton Reed is an American professional stock car racing driver and driver coach. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 91 Chevrolet Silverado for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. After Roush Fenway Racing closed down their Xfinity Series team after the 2018 season, Reed has mostly been without a ride in NASCAR since then, and while in that situation, Reed has worked since 2020 as the driver coach for Jack Wood, who competes full-time in the ARCA Menards Series West.
Cole Matthew Custer is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 41 Ford Mustang for Haas Factory Team. He is the son of Joe Custer, the team president of Stewart–Haas Racing. He is the 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion.
GMS Racing was an American professional stock car racing team that competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, fielding three Chevrolet Silverado trucks: the No. 23 for Grant Enfinger, the No. 24 for Rajah Caruth, and the No. 43 for Daniel Dye.
Brandon Alexander Phillip Jones is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 19 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. He has also competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, and ARCA Menards Series East in the past.
Dylan Jarin Lupton is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 15 Ford Mustang for AM Racing, part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado for Young's Motorsports, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series driving the No. 30 Mustang for Rette Jones Racing. He has also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, what is now the ARCA Menards Series East, and the ARCA Menards Series West in the past.
Burton Darwin "B. J." McLeod is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner. He owns B. J. McLeod Motorsports, which fields the No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series which McLeod drives part-time, he also and co-owns Live Fast Motorsports, a NASCAR Cup Series team which fields the No. 78 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 which McLeod drives part-time. McLeod has previously competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menards Series.
Justin C. Haley is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports. He previously went by his nickname J. J. Haley, until he switched to his first name in January 2016 to avoid confusion with fellow competitor J. J. Yeley. Haley owns Darkhorse Racecars, a dirt late model and dirt modified chassis manufacturer.
Joshua Robert Reaume is an American professional stock car racing driver, engineer, and team owner. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 22 Ford F-150 for Reaume Brothers Racing.
Kaz Grala is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 36 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports and the No. 15 Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing. He has also previously competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Pinty's Series as well as what is now the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West.
Clint King is an American professional stock car racing driver. He has raced in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, ARCA Racing Series and K&N Pro Series East.
Jesse Ekene Iwuji is an American professional stock car racing driver and officer in the United States Navy Reserve. He previously competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 34 Chevrolet Camaro for Jesse Iwuji Motorsports. He has also competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, and West, and ARCA Racing Series in the past.
Kyle S. Benjamin is an American professional stock car racing driver. He most recently competed part-time in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, driving the No. 15 for LFR Chassis, and part-time in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 44 and 45 Chevrolet Silverados for Niece Motorsports. Benjamin has also competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Joe Gibbs Racing. He is a member of the 2015 NASCAR Next class and has formerly competed in the K&N Pro Series East with Ranier Racing with MDM. Benjamin became the youngest winner in the ARCA Racing Series in 2013 at 15 years, 9 months, and 22 days, and held the record until Todd Gilliland broke it in 2015, when his first ARCA win came at 15 years and 2 days.
James Chadwick Finchum is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang for MBM Motorsports and part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang for MBM Motorsports and the No. 35 Chevrolet Camaro for Joey Gase Motorsports. Finchum has also previously competed in what is now the ARCA Menards Series East.
Zane Michael Smith is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 71 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Spire Motorsports in an alliance with Trackhouse Racing, and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 91 Chevrolet Silverado for McAnally-Hilgemann Racing. He won the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series championship driving for Front Row Motorsports.
William P. Rodgers is an American professional stock car racing driver who last competed part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado for Young's Motorsports. He has also previously competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series West, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, and the Pirelli World Challenge.
Parker Edward Retzlaff is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He also drives part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for MBM Motorsports and the No. 62 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Beard Motorsports.