{"id":395755,"date":"2026-01-08T08:45:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T08:45:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/395755\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T08:45:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T08:45:20","slug":"steve-phelps-resigns-as-nascar-commissioner-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/395755\/","title":{"rendered":"Steve Phelps Resigns As NASCAR Commissioner"},"content":{"rendered":"

NASCAR<\/a> Commissioner Steve Phelps resigned from his NASCAR position following a 20-year career.<\/p>\n

During his time with the league, he helped guide the sport into the new media age, as well as through the COVID pandemic. His time ended with a contentious lawsuit that exposed his texts critical of NASCAR drivers, team owners and his own bosses.<\/p>\n

Phelps\u2019 personal texts became public during the antitrust lawsuit brought by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR. The lawsuit culminated with a settlement following eight days of trial testimony.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

NASCAR’s Steve Phelps looks on during pre-race activities prior to the NASCAR Cup Series W\u00fcrth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway\u00a0 <\/p>\n

NASCAR announced Phelps’ departure Tuesday morning, indicating it was his decision and that he will leave his role at the end of January. He had just started the role as commissioner last year, a role that allowed him to focus on big-picture projects and the trajectory of the sport, while Steve O\u2019Donnell handled day-to-day operations as president.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Donnell remains president and no other leadership changes were announced.<\/p>\n

“As\u00a0a\u00a0lifelong race\u00a0fan,\u00a0it\u00a0gives\u00a0me\u00a0immense\u00a0pride\u00a0to\u00a0have\u00a0served\u00a0as\u00a0NASCAR\u2019s\u00a0first Commissioner and\u00a0to\u00a0lead\u00a0our\u00a0great\u00a0sport\u00a0through\u00a0so\u00a0many\u00a0incredible\u00a0challenges,\u00a0opportunities\u00a0and\u00a0firsts\u00a0over\u00a0my\u00a020\u00a0years,” Phelps, who served as NASCAR president from 2018-25, said in a statement.\u00a0“Our\u00a0sport\u00a0is\u00a0built\u00a0on\u00a0the\u00a0passion of\u00a0our\u00a0fans,\u00a0the\u00a0dedication of our teams and partners and the commitment of our wonderful employees.<\/p>\n

“It has been an honor to help synthesize the enthusiasm of long-standing NASCAR stakeholders with that of new entrants to our ecosystem, such as media partners, auto manufacturers, track operators, and incredible racing talent.”<\/p>\n

NASCAR Chairman Jim France praised Phelps\u2019 contributions to the sport.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Steve Phelps’ 20-year career in NASCAR ended in the wake of a controversial text exchange that revealed his disdain for other leaders in the sport. <\/p>\n

Phelps helped lead NASCAR\u2019s marketing efforts over the last two decades and led NASCAR as it negotiated its current 2025-31 media rights deal. He also led the sport as it was one of the first sports to return to action during the COVID pandemic, with it completing a full 38-race season.<\/p>\n

“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR\u2019s most impactful leaders,” France said. “For decades he has worked tirelessly to thrill fans, support teams and execute a vision for the sport that has treated us all to some of the greatest moments in our nearly 80-year history.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s been an honor to work alongside him in achieving the impossible, like being the first sport to return during COVID, or in delivering the unimaginable by launching new races in the L.A. Memorial Coliseum and NASCAR\u2019s first-ever street race in downtown Chicago. Steve leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and collaboration with an unrelenting growth mindset.”<\/p>\n

France had stood by Phelps despite texts that emerged during the antitrust litigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Phelps expressed his frustration that one of France\u2019s proposals for the new charter agreement was “insanity,” as Phelps tried to push for at least some of the teams’ biggest priorities during negotiations.<\/p>\n

The texts also included Phelps\u2019 frustration with NASCAR Cup drivers and owners competing in the SRX Series, saying: “These guys are just plain stupid. Need to put a knife in this trash series.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Phelps (L), walking alongside NASCAR driver Christopher Bell, has been praised for helping lead the league through the COVID pandemic <\/p>\n

But the texts that caused the biggest blowback \u2014 and likely would be difficult for him to ever overcome as far as public perception and respectability from the fanbase \u2014 were ones that Phelps wrote about revered team owner Richard Childress after Childress did an interview on SiriusXM where he questioned who would benefit from a possible media rights deal.<\/p>\n

“Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He\u2019s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR,” Phelps wrote in the text.<\/p>\n

Later in the chain, Phelps wrote: “If he\u2019s that angry (and apparently he is) sign your charter extension and sell. He\u2019s not smart \u2014 is a dinosaur \u2014 and a malcontent. … Total ass-clown.”<\/p>\n

Childress has threatened legal action over the texts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During his testimony in court, Phelps said he was contacted about the PGA commissioner\u2019s role and after one meeting, he took his name out of the running. Phelps was born in Vermont and grew up as a race fan. His sports industry experience includes a stint at the NFL.<\/p>\n

Ironically, Phelps is viewed within the sport as someone who worked tirelessly to negotiate a charter agreement that would work for teams and NASCAR and avoid the litigation that ultimately consumed the final 15 months of his tenure.<\/p>\n

“As I embark on new pursuits in sports and other industries, I\u00a0want\u00a0to\u00a0thank\u00a0the\u00a0many\u00a0colleagues, friends, and especially the fans that have played such an important and motivational role in my career,” Phelps said. “Words\u00a0cannot\u00a0fully\u00a0convey the\u00a0deep\u00a0appreciation\u00a0I\u00a0have\u00a0for\u00a0this\u00a0life-changing\u00a0experience, for\u00a0the\u00a0trust of the\u00a0France\u00a0family, and\u00a0for having\u00a0a\u00a0place\u00a0in\u00a0NASCAR\u2019s\u00a0amazing history.”<\/p>\n

Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter\u00a0@bobpockrass<\/a>.<\/p>\n