Steve Phelps has decided to resign from the post of NASCAR Commissioner, following weeks of intense scrutiny tied to the antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
After the announcement on Tuesday, January 6, NASCAR called his departure, which will officially come at the end of this month, a personal decision. Phelps, who took on the role in March 2025 after a long run as NASCAR president, also released a statement. He wrote that serving as NASCAR’s first Commissioner gave him “immense pride” and thanked fans, teams, partners, and employees for two decades of work in the sport. He added that he looked forward to new pursuits but made no mention of the leaked messages, the public outcry, or the antitrust proceedings.
“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 said.
“Words cannot fully convey the deep appreciation I have for this life-changing experience, for the trust of the France family, and for having a place in NASCAR’s amazing history,” he added.
NASCAR named Steve O’Donnell as its president when Phelps became Commissioner last year. His duties will be shared among other executives.
NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France also commented on Phelps’ departure and said:
“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders.”
Steve Phelps moved over to NASCAR from the NFL in 2005. His resignation this month came after over a month of intense public scrutiny.
Events That Led Up to Steve Phelps Resignation From NASCAR Post
The NASCAR Cup teams’ antitrust lawsuit against the sanctioning body and its CEO centered on charter rules and whether NASCAR has used its power to block competition. It moved into public hearings in the first week of December 2025 and produced a large trove of court filings and exhibits. Among those exhibits were internal messages from NASCAR executives, including personal remarks about team owner Richard Childress.
Those insults from Steve Phelps triggered public anger and media scrutiny. Major team sponsor Johnny Morris also issued a strong public letter and warned that such comments harmed fan trust and urged NASCAR leaders to act.
Phelps later testified at the trial and apologized, saying the remarks came from frustration. The legal case also ended in a settlement partway through the trial. But the released communications and resulting sponsor backlash eroded confidence in NASCAR leadership among fans and helped prompt calls for a leadership change.
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