“Need the other Steve and Jim France to do the same”: Fans react as NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps resigns from his role

On Tuesday, January 6, NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps resigned from his role in the wake of the fallout from last month’s antitrust lawsuit settlement. Fans voiced their opinion on the major leadership shake-up in the sport, and for many fans, Phelps is merely the first domino to fall in a larger call for accountability.

Phelps’ resignation comes in the wake of growing scrutiny over NASCAR’s internal practices and leadership conduct, following the discovery process in the antitrust lawsuit that exposed a series of private internal emails and text messages that severely damaged Phelps’ public standing.

The text messages revealed Phelps making disparaging remarks about long-time NASCAR team owner Richard Childress, calling him a “stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR” and a “total a— clown” who “needs to be taken out back and flogged.”

As FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass shared the news of Phelps’ resignation on X (formerly Twitter), fans quickly weighed in, many welcoming the move, while others predict Chief Operating Officer (COO) Steve O’Donnell and Senior Vice President of Racing Development & Strategy Ben Kennedy are next on the list to resign from their positions.

One fan wrote:

“Now just need the other steve and Jim France to do the same as well.”

Now just need the other steve and Jim France to do the same as well.

— Rhee (@RheeTweet3) January 6, 2026

“No better day than today!!” another fan wrote.

No better day than today!! pic.twitter.com/JNwdRlKQev

— Pete McCallister (@CajunPeteMac) January 6, 2026

“That lawsuit exposed how much money this guy was losing the sport on a yearly basis. Was only a matter of time.” a third user commented.

That lawsuit exposed how much money this guy was losing the sport on a yearly basis. Was only a matter of time.

— Anthony J. Franco (@anthonyjfranco) January 6, 2026

“This is a good thing because it shows repercussions of actions. Good for nascar for stepping up and doing the right thing. You can’t say what he did and get away with it. He couldn’t have shown his face in a garage ever again after that. It’s the right call.” a fourth wrote.

“His days were numbered ever since the emails were released with him calling Richard Childress a dumb redneck” another fan wrote.

“It’s a start, O’Donnell and Kennedy next” a sixth user said.

Steve Phelps released a statement following his resignation from NASCAR Commissioner position

Steve Phelps will leave his position by the end of January. According to NASCAR, there is no immediate successor for the commissioner position; instead, his duties will be distributed among the remaining executive team, including Steve O’Donnell.

In his statement, Phelps said:

“As a lifelong race fan, it gives me immense pride to have served as NASCAR’s first Commissioner and to lead our great sport through so many incredible challenges, opportunities and firsts over my 20 years. Our sport is built on the passion of our fans, the dedication of our teams and partners and the commitment of our wonderful employees. 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.

Steve Phelps statement as he will leave NASCAR at end of month. NASCAR will spread his duties across other executives. No other leadership changes: pic.twitter.com/SKnBN5oT2v

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 6, 2026

Steve Phelps joined the sport in 2005 as vice president of corporate marketing. He became NASCAR’s first commissioner last year in spring.

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