Former Xfinity Series driver Kenny Wallace has weighed in on Steve Phelps stepping away from NASCAR. Phelps, who joined NASCAR in 2005, will leave the sport as its first commissioner following the December 2025 antitrust trial, during which a series of inflammatory texts sent by Phelps were revealed in court.
In a 2023 exchange with Executive Vice President and Chief Media & Revenue Officer for NASCAR, Brian Herbst, Phelps allegedly called Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress “a stupid redneck” who “needs to be taken out back and flogged.”
Soon after, Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops and a longtime RCR partner, released a statement on X, demanding the removal of Phelps as NASCAR commissioner.
“The commissioner, in all his rant, has only managed to bring discredit to himself and the sport,” he wrote. “Such blatant disrespect would probably not sit well with the fans – such a commissioner most likely wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, keep his or her job for very long!”
In the latest episode of Coffee with Kenny, the 62-year-old NASCAR icon said,
“No matter what you think of Steve Phelps after a statement like that, the only way NASCAR can repair themselves is what happened today as reported by Adam Stern and Bob Pockrass. It will be announced today. And the announcement is already out in paper form. You can see it on Bob Pockrass’ timeline on social media. Steve Phelps is gone.”
Phelps will exit NASCAR before its upcoming Cup Series campaign hits Bowman Gray for the Cook Out Clash on February 1, 2026. NASCAR hasn’t announced any replacement for Phelps, and neither has it revealed any plans to seek outside leadership.
NASCAR CEO thanks Steve Phelps for his decade-long leadership
NASCAR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim France has opened up about Steve Phelps’ resignation from the sport. The way France sees it, Phelps has helped NASCAR reshape its strategic vision and transformed its schedule by adding bucket list fan experiences.
Phelps was also responsible for pushing NASCAR’s international boundaries and landing the seven-year-long media deal with Amazon Prime and TNT Sports. Reflecting on the same, France said in a statement,
“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders. 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.”
All eyes are now on the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray and then on the 68th running of the Daytona 500, scheduled just about two weeks later. Fans can watch both the races live on FOX Sports or listen to live radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
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