'Not everyone's gonna bat 100 percent,' Denny Hamlin shares perspective on new NASCAR leadership after Jim France

Denny Hamlin offered measured respect as Jim France stepped down as NASCAR CEO, praising his pandemic leadership while noting not everyone’s gonna bat 100 percent.

Fahad Hamid
April 26, 2026
3 min read

'Not everyone's gonna bat 100 percent,' Denny Hamlin shares perspective on new NASCAR leadership after Jim France — © Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The NASCAR garage received a monumental update on the sport’s executive leadership ahead of its weekend slate at Talladega Superspeedway. Officials announced that Jim France is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer. Following a hastily scheduled meeting with drivers and team owners on Friday, Steve O’Donnell will officially ascend to the CEO position.

This shifting of the guard matters immensely because it represents the first time a person outside of the France family tree will hold the CEO title. While France will retain his position as chairman, the elevation of O’Donnell signals a fresh strategic era.

It should also be noted that France family scion Ben Kennedy was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Coming directly on the heels of a bruising antitrust legal battle, this executive shuffle is a clear attempt to inject new blood into a sanctioning body trying to balance deep-rooted traditions with modern sporting economics.

According to Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal, the executive transition was finalized in the Talladega garage, effectively closing the chapter on France’s tenure as CEO that began in 2018. Stern noted that O’Donnell, who first joined NASCAR’s marketing department in 1996 and steadily climbed the ranks to President, is now fully at the wheel of a multibillion-dollar sporting empire.

1. Hamlin Speaks Out on France’s Legacy

Nobody in the garage has been as vocally critical, or as deeply intertwined in the politics of NASCAR’s front office, as Denny Hamlin. The veteran driver and co-owner of 23XI Racing has publicly sparred with leadership over revenue sharing and the recently settled antitrust lawsuit. However, when asked about the sudden executive turnover, Hamlin offered a remarkably measured and appreciative perspective on France’s tenure. Reflecting on the challenges of the past few years, Hamlin paid his outgoing CEO the respect he deserved. France took the reins when the sport was in a perilous spot following Brian France’s sudden exit, and he navigated the immense logistical nightmare of the global pandemic shortly after.

2. The Weight of the Antitrust Era

For months, the relationship between Hamlin and the France family was visibly strained. Legal discoveries during the recent antitrust dispute revealed text messages in which Hamlin expressed deep frustration with the France family’s negotiating tactics. Jim France was staunchly opposed to the concept of permanent charters, a stance that infuriated team owners who were desperate for long-term financial stability. Yet, as the legal dust settled, human nature took over. The two men reportedly shared an emotional embrace after reaching a settlement, burying the hatchet for the good of the sport. With O’Donnell now serving as CEO and Steve Phelps recently moving into the commissioner role, the front office is fully restructured. For a team owner like Hamlin, who relies heavily on the sport’s overall health to fund his ambitious 23XI Racing program, this “fresh blood” could lead to a more collaborative partnership between the sanctioning body and the teams.

3. The Current Status

Currently, Hamlin’s own driver, Tyler Reddick, is proving the 23XI model works. Reddick recently captured a massive win at Kansas, leading Hamlin to boldly declare the No. 45 crew as the “best overall team right now.” As Hamlin chases his own elusive Cup Series championship, sitting just 15 points behind Reddick in the standings, he now knows exactly who is calling the shots in Daytona Beach. Looking ahead, the immediate focus shifts back to the asphalt. While the corporate reshuffling will dominate the broadcast booth conversations this weekend, the drivers have a race to run at Talladega. For Steve O’Donnell, his first official week as CEO will be about proving he can mend the remaining fences with team owners. For Denny Hamlin, the mission remains unchanged: secure a championship trophy and ensure his race team continues to thrive in whatever era of NASCAR comes next.