Image Source: Bob Pockrass
Key Takeaways
- NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has resigned from his position after a 20-year career with the league
- Phelps played a crucial role in guiding the sport through the COVID pandemic and into the new media age
- His resignation comes after a contentious lawsuit exposed his personal texts, which included criticism of NASCAR drivers, team owners, and his own bosses
- Phelps’ contributions to the sport have been praised by NASCAR Chairman Jim France, who described him as "one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders"
- Phelps’ legacy includes leading the sport’s marketing efforts and negotiating its current media rights deal
Introduction to Steve Phelps’ Resignation
NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has resigned from his position, effective at the end of January, after a 20-year career with the league. During his time with NASCAR, Phelps played a crucial role in guiding the sport through the COVID pandemic and into the new media age. However, his resignation comes after a contentious lawsuit exposed his personal texts, which included criticism of NASCAR drivers, team owners, and his own bosses. As Phelps stated, "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."
Steve Phelps’ Career and Contributions
Phelps’ career with NASCAR spanned over two decades, during which he served as president from 2018-2025 and commissioner for the past year. He was instrumental in leading the sport’s marketing efforts and negotiating its current media rights deal, which will run from 2025-2031. Phelps also played a key role in guiding the sport through the COVID pandemic, with NASCAR being one of the first sports to return to action. As NASCAR Chairman Jim France praised, "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."
The Controversial Lawsuit and Texts
The lawsuit that led to Phelps’ resignation was an antitrust lawsuit brought by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR. During the trial, Phelps’ personal texts were made public, revealing his criticism of NASCAR drivers, team owners, and his own bosses. The texts included comments such as "These guys are just plain stupid. Need to put a knife in this trash series" regarding the SRX Series, and "Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR" regarding team owner Richard Childress. Childress has threatened legal action over the texts, and the comments have sparked widespread criticism and outrage within the NASCAR community.
Legacy and Future
Despite the controversy surrounding his resignation, Phelps’ contributions to the sport have been widely praised. As he stated, "As I embark on new pursuits in sports and other industries, I want to thank the many colleagues, friends, and especially the fans that have played such an important and motivational role in my career." Phelps’ legacy includes leading the sport’s marketing efforts, negotiating its current media rights deal, and guiding the sport through the COVID pandemic. His resignation marks the end of an era for NASCAR, and it remains to be seen how the sport will move forward without one of its most impactful leaders.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Steve Phelps’ resignation as NASCAR Commissioner marks the end of a 20-year career with the league. While his contributions to the sport have been widely praised, the controversy surrounding his personal texts has sparked widespread criticism and outrage. As the sport moves forward, it will be important to remember Phelps’ legacy and the impact he had on the sport. As NASCAR Chairman Jim France said, "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 leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and collaboration with an unrelenting growth mindset."
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nascar/steve-phelps-resigns-nascar-commissioner