Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images(NEW YORK) — NASCAR might seem like a man’s world, but two NASCAR women have been named among the 30 most powerful women in sports.
Adweek magazine compiled the list which includes Danica Patrick and Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR vice chairman and CEO of International Speedway Corporation.
France Kennedy is no stranger to such lists. In 2015 Forbes named her the single most powerful woman in sports.
France Kennedy is a third-generation member of NASCAR’s first family. Her grandfather, Bill France Sr., co-founded NASCAR in 1948. ICS, of course, owns and/or operates more than a dozen tracks including Daytona International Speedway. The publicly traded company earned more than $645 million in revenue in 2015.
Patrick, of course, in her fourth season driving the No. 10 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing, was the first woman to win the pole position at the Daytona 500.
“Being chosen along with such an incredible group of women is testament to the relevancy and popularity of NASCAR and motorsports,” Kennedy said in a statement provided by NASCAR to NASCAR.com. “I’m particularly pleased to be joined by NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, who is inspiring the next generation of women drivers and competitors. A profound thank you to the Adweek team.”
Tennis star Serena Williams topped the Adweek list. The women will be honored at the Clio Sports gala on July 7 in New York.
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