Lesa France Kennedy named Forbes’ Most Powerful Woman in Sports

Lesa France Kennedy

Lesa France Kennedy, CEO of International Speedway Corporation, was named Wednesday as the Most Powerful Woman in Sports for 2015 in a survey conducted by Forbes.

Kennedy, who currently oversees 12 speedways that host NASCAR national series events, received the most votes from an eight-member panel assembled by the New York-based business magazine. The 54-year-old executive has topped Forbes' list in previous votes, including the 2009 balloting.

Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick was selected as No. 20 among the Top 25. She also ranked fifth in Forbes' survey of the world's highest-paid female athletes in 2014.

Kennedy, who also serves as a Vice Chairperson of NASCAR, has helped ISC expand its empire of racing facilities across the country. She has been a driving force behind a reimagining of Daytona International Speedway, the $400 million Daytona RISING renovation of one of the sport's centerpieces that will debut in the 2016 season.