Deevo Tindall
Ben Kennedy
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, NASCAR
Age: 28
Born: Daytona Beach, Fla.
Education: University of Florida, B.S., sports management, business administration minor
Ben Kennedy has seen racing from a perspective few executives have: behind the wheel. A former Xfinity and Gander RV & Outdoors Truck series driver, he now oversees NASCAR’s rules and regulation, international expansion and complex scheduling.
more About you
Most important lesson learned in 2020: How critical relationships are to the health of our sport and industry at large. Without incredible individuals, leaders, and stronger relationships than we have ever had before, we would not have been able to have our season in its entirety and finish on time.
Go-to person when I need help: My mother. We have a strong relationship and having someone that is deeply ingrained into the business is helpful when trying to understand some of the inner workings of certain decisions being made. She has a ton of experience and industry knowledge that I can lean on.
My inspiration: Steve Phelps, president of NASCAR. He is not only a great individual and mentor to me personally, but an incredible leader of our company and sport overall. To see what he has accomplished in a relatively short period of time in the role is nothing short of remarkable.
In the industry
Biggest surprise when I started my career: How complex our company and industry is. The fact that we not only host events, but sell tickets, market our events, help produce our events, build rule books, host esports events, create engaging content and communicate it, and so much more is quite remarkable.
Most exciting aspect of sports business: Personally, I find the opportunities to continue to elevate the fan experience as an exciting opportunity. With the acceleration of technology and connectivity, I believe it will open many doors to future innovation and creativity with every aspect of the event and overall fan experience.
How my generation is changing sports: Our generation is bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to the future of the sports industry. … Remaining nimble and fluid during difficult times will be more important than ever.
