The NASCAR HOF Inductees have been announced for the Class of 2027. Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, and Larry Phillips are the newest entrants, but there is also another special inductee. 

Lesa France Kennedy is the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR. Kennedy, the Executive Vice Chair of NASCAR, beat Alvin Hawkins, Dr Joseph Mattioli, Les Richter, and T. Wayne Robertson, who were the other four nominees for the honour. 

The France in Kennedy’s name would have given away part of who she is: The granddaughter of the founding father, Bill France Sr., daughter of Bill France Jr., and mother to Ben Kennedy, the current COO of NASCAR.

She graduated from Duke University and joined International Speedway Corporation in 1983. Over time, she has done work with many tracks that have left a lasting impact on the sport. She was the company’s CEO from 2009 to 2019. 

Ben Kennedy is her son from her first marriage. Lesa’s ex-husband Dr. Bruce Kennedy’s tragic death was caused by a plane crash in 2007. At the time, she was the President of ISC and maintained a low profile while her attention remained at work.

Lesa got remarried a few years later to William. J. Christy, the President and CEO of Clash Endurance.

She has been recognised as a powerful female figure in sports. Amongst those recognitions, the best was being recognised by Forbes as the Most Powerful Woman in sports in 2009. 

Lesa France Kennedy’s Impact on NASCAR

Most of her lasting impact on the sport founded by her grandfather had been associated with various racetracks all over the country. In her time at ISC, she was responsible for the strategic corporate management, race promotion, and master planning of several historic facilities. 

Those tracks include Talladega, Darlington, Richmond Raceway, Auto Club in California, Martinsville, Michigan, Watkins Glen, Homestead-Miami, and Route 66 Raceway. 

She has spearheaded several projects, including key roles in the $400 million Daytona Rising project that transformed Daytona into the world’s first true motorsport stadium. Lesa Kennedy also led the initial development and construction of Kansas Speedway in 2002. 

Another track where fans owe her a big thanks is Phoenix Raceway. She spearheaded the top-to-bottom modern revitalisation project that upgraded fan amenities at Phoenix. 

She has left an indelible mark on the sport, and it was exactly for that reason that she will be presented with the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contribution to NASCAR.

You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Yask Kotak