Lesa France Kennedy

Lesa France Kennedy is the Executive Vice Chair of NASCAR. Kennedy notably oversaw two major racetrack development projects in building Kansas Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway and expanding NASCAR’s portfolio into two major Midwest markets. She also led the revitalization of Phoenix Raceway completing its renovation in 2018 and Daytona International Speedway’s $400 million redevelopments in 2016. Prior to becoming Executive Vice Chair of NASCAR, Kennedy served as Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors for International Speedway Corporation (ISC), a motorsports entertainment company acquired by NASCAR in October 2019.

Kennedy's conscious leadership, authenticity and incredible vision make her one of the most influential leaders in the motorsports industry, leading Forbes to select her twice as the “Most Powerful Woman in Sports” (2009, 2015). In her more than 30 years with ISC, she advanced through several key executive positions with increasing responsibility including Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Vice President.

In 1996, her leadership launched Daytona USA (later named Daytona 500 Experience) at the Daytona International Speedway, opening the destination’s first year-round motorsports attraction and museum. In 2002, she led two development projects, creating Kansas Speedway and Chicagoland Speedway and expanding ISC’s portfolio into two major Midwest markets.

Kennedy received the “Women Making History” award from the National Women’s History Museum in 2014 and was selected by Street and Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal as the “Most Influential Woman in Sports Business” in 2005.

Her son, Ben Kennedy, is carrying on the France family legacy as a driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

Lesa France Kennedy serves on the Board of Directors of the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), the NASCAR Foundation and the Board of Advisors of Moffitt Cancer Center. She is an avid supporter of the American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, Victory Junction Gang, and Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences. A Daytona Beach native, Kennedy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and psychology from Duke University.