NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps has resigned from the post that was created exclusively for him. The move comes after the antitrust trial revealed damning evidence of Phelps’ internal texts regarding Richard Childress.
Phelps used to be NASCAR‘s president, but passed on the role to Steve O’Donnell and inherited the newly founded commissioner post in 2025. A year into his tenure, Phelps’ reputation got damaged after internal texts revealed his disdain for team owner Richard Childress.
Much of it was uncovered during the antitrust trial’s discovery process, where he’d led an expletive-laden rant against Childress, calling him a ‘stupid redneck’ who should be ‘taken out back and flogged’.
The texts proved to be scandalous, as Childress even considered suing the sanctioning body over it. Moreover, major sponsors like Bass Pro Shops condemned the language used, while many called for Phelps’ resignation. Although, it must be noted that it was Phelps and O’Donnell who went to bat for the teams and tried to get them a better charter deal.
Jim France, who vehemently opposed the notion, conceded to the teams’ demands after the trial exposed the whole industry. France has now reacted to Phelps’s resignation with a statement:
“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. It’s 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’s first-ever street race in downtown Chicago.”
Steve Phelps, on his part, shared a heartfelt quote on his journey thus far.
“As I look ahead, I know this is the right moment for me to turn my focus to a new chapter. That choice comes with many mixed emotions, but also with deep sense of peace and satisfaction. I know that while my pursuits may take me elsewhere, I will always look back fondly on our time together as colleagues and friends,” he said (via Sports Business Journal)
Steve Phelps has been with NASCAR since 2005, when he joined as Vice President of Marketing. He was responsible for introducing the Next Gen package and negotiating the $7.7 billion media rights deal.
Kenny Wallace comments on NASCAR’s future after Steve Phelps resignation
Kenny Wallace addressed Steve Phelps’ resignation and expressed that it was a step in the right direction. He noted that the sport had just announced Chip Wile as executive director for the Drivers’ Advisory Council, taking over from Jeff Burton to ensure broader alignment between drivers, NASCAR and the teams. The move comes ahead of a horsepower bump and several safety-related initiatives.
Wallace believes the sport is trying to course-correct after the disastrous antitrust trial.
“Looks like Jim France, Lesa Kennedy, and all the powers to be at NASCAR. Looks like they have finally said, “How did we get ourselves in this mess?
Let’s make it right. Let’s go back to the old days,” Wallace said.
