By SEMA News Editors
NASCAR Names Steve O'Donnell CEO, Ben Kennedy COO
NASCAR has announced pivotal leadership changes with its board of directors, naming Steve O'Donnell as CEO and Ben Kennedy as COO, positioning the sport for its next phase of growth and innovation. These planned transitions follow a period of sustained momentum and business strength for NASCAR, driven by multi-year media rights agreements, long-term charter extensions and robust partner relationships.
Effective immediately, O'Donnell becomes the first non-France family member to serve as CEO in NASCAR's 78-year history. He assumes all strategic and operational leadership for NASCAR, its affiliated racing series and businesses. Kennedy, in his expanded role as COO, will oversee several core business functions, including the addition of NASCAR's competition department, alongside his current leadership of track and event operations, racing innovation, hospitality and venue strategy. Jim France, who served as NASCAR chairman and CEO since 2018 where he oversaw nearly a decade of innovation and steady growth, will remain as chairman of NASCAR's Board of Directors. Lesa France Kennedy also continues as executive vice chair and NASCAR's Board of Directors remains unchanged.
"I am incredibly proud of the strength and stability we've achieved across the sport, which gives me tremendous confidence in our plan to transition leadership to Steve as NASCAR's next CEO and Ben as COO," said France. "Together, they represent the future of the sport, and along with our world-class executive team and race team partners in the garage, they will guide NASCAR into its exciting next era."
As CEO, O'Donnell will focus on advancing NASCAR's vision as one of the world's premier sports and entertainment brands. Previously serving as NASCAR's sixth president, O'Donnell is one of the sport's longest tenured and respected executives with more than 30 years of service across competition, operations, marketing and business functions--from grassroots racing through the NASCAR Cup Series. He will also lead the development and execution of multi-year strategic plans, financial and performance benchmarks, succession planning, as well as NASCAR's next media rights and evolving content distribution strategies.
"It is an honor to step into the role of CEO working alongside Ben and our leadership team at such an important time for our sport," said O'Donnell. "I have devoted nearly my entire l career to NASCAR, this garage and our fans, guided by the France family's commitment to deliver the best racing in the world. I am grateful and energized to continue to collaborate with our colleagues across our sport, while listening to our race fans to realize that vision each and every week."
With Ben Kennedy's elevation to NASCAR's COO, he will oversee a range of business- and competition-critical functions, including the addition of competition led by John Probst. Probst will report to Kennedy, who began his NASCAR career on the competition team as general manager of the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series. Kennedy will also continue to oversee the creation of NASCAR's highly anticipated annual schedule, a key driver of marquee events that expand NASCAR's reach and introduce the sport to new audiences while honoring its most beloved racing traditions that have delivered many iconic sports moments.
For more information, visit nascar.com.
Image Courtesy of NASCAR | Getty Images/Sean Gardner
IHRA Acquires Empire Dragway (NY)
The IHRA has acquired Empire Dragway in Leicester, New York, the sanctioning body announced.
Empire Dragway has long been a staple in the Northeast racing community, known for its rich history, passionate fan base and competitive racing environment, IHRA officials said. Under IHRA ownership, the facility will undergo strategic enhancements focused on racer experience, fan engagement and long-term operational sustainability.
"This is exactly the kind of facility we want to invest in," said Darryl Cuttell, owner of IHRA. "Empire Dragway has a strong foundation and a loyal racing community. Our goal is to build on that momentum--bringing more opportunities for racers, bigger events for fans and ensuring this track continues to thrive for years to come."
"Empire Dragway has meant so much to me and to this community over the years," said Jerry Scaccia, former owner of Empire Dragway. "I'm proud of what we've built here, and I truly believe IHRA is the right group to take it to the next level. Their vision for the future of the sport and commitment to racers gives me full confidence that Empire is in great hands."
Empire Dragway will host the Outlaw Nitro Series and Small Tire BRATZ Series on July 23 to 25. Under IHRA ownership, that momentum will continue to build with expanded programming, enhanced amenities and greater opportunities for racers and fans alike, IHRA officials said.
Fans and racers can expect upgrades to infrastructure, enhanced safety measures and a renewed focus on delivering a top-tier race day experience. The IHRA said it will work closely with local organizations, teams and the racing community to ensure a seamless transition and continued success of the venue.
For more information, visit ihra.com.
Image Courtesy of IHRA
Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 Becomes Fastest EV in Quarter-Mile
The evolution of electric drag racing reached a defining moment at the 2026 NHRA 4-Wide Nationals as the Ford Racing Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 established itself as the quickest and fastest electric car in the quarter-mile.
In front of a packed crowd at zMax Dragway, the latest Cobra Jet program didn't just continue Ford's legacy, it rewrote the benchmark entirely. Building on the foundation of the Cobra Jet 1400 and the Super Cobra Jet 1800, the Cobra Jet 2200 has taken a decisive leap forward.
Early in the weekend, the car recorded a series of blistering passes, culminating in a quickest of 6.766 seconds elapsed time over the quarter-mile distance and a fastest trap speed of 222.36 mph--numbers that firmly place it at the top of electric drag racing performance worldwide.
Electric drag racing is not without its pioneers. "Big Daddy" Don Garlits helped bring credibility to the segment with an electric dragster effort that reached more than 186.60 mph, while Steve Huff pushed the envelope even further, eclipsing the 200-mph mark in his electric dragster. Garlits and Huff even gave NHRA fans a taste of EV drag racing together at the 2022 NHRA Gatornationals. Those milestones proved that electric propulsion could compete at a high level.
But what the Cobra Jet 2200 has accomplished is different. It hasn't just joined that conversation; it has taken control of it. By combining cutting-edge battery architecture, advanced motor technology and an innovative drivetrain featuring a patented clutch technology coupled to a multi-speed transmission, the Cobra Jet 2200 delivers unmatched elapsed time and top-end speed in a single, cohesive package.
The significance of that achievement was not lost on the fans at zMAX. Each pass was met with anticipation, followed by the unmistakable realization that they were witnessing a new era unfold in real time. Ford's commitment to the program was equally visible. With engineering staff on-site throughout the event and the car making multiple exhibition runs across all three days, the Cobra Jet 2200 wasn’t just a showcase--it was a statement of intent.
"Super proud to be out here with this car," said Jake Powers, electrification, hardware supervisor for Ford Racing. "We've been working on it for so, so long. The team has put in a huge effort over the last couple of years. We came out here, and I think we exceeded not just others expectations but our own with this car. Going 222 miles an hour in a quarter is just phenomenal. And to push the boundaries of technologies, we've learned so much from this car. It is unreal to finally be here, show it to the public and share it and get so much positive feedback. People are out here just loving this car. They love to see what we were able to do with it. And it's been a very special weekend for the whole team."
"All of the props to the wonderful engineers at Ford who put in a ton of effort to not only deliver the car but to deliver it consistently across the whole weekend," said Nick Kuhajda, demonstrators program supervisor at Ford Racing. "I mean, over 12 runs, 9 passes below 7 seconds and above 200 mph. The consistency of this car would not be possible without this team and its knowledge, and all of the talent we have there in that building at Ford."
"Within the NHRA Technical Department, we work to understand new and emerging technologies through research and collaboration with industry experts and OEMs," said Clinton Snead NHRA, director of engineering. "That understanding is critical to helping keep racers, track officials and spectators safe while also maintaining fair competition. The Mustang Cobra Jet 2200, and our collaboration with Ford engineers, is a great showcase of EV technology and the level of performance these vehicles can produce. Given the progression of EV technology over the past decade, it's exciting to think about what may be on the horizon as battery systems, electric motors, and controls continue to improve. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Ford and other OEMs as that progression continues."
In a sport defined by speed, numbers matter. And right now, no four-wheeled electric drag racing vehicle on the planet can match what the Ford Racing Mustang Cobra Jet 2200 has achieved.
For more information, visit nhra.com or visit the Ford From the Road blog.
Images courtesy of Ford
