NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps to resign amid fallout from lawsuit

Jan. 6 (UPI) — NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps will resign at the end of January, he announced Tuesday.

His departure comes amid fallout from an antitrust lawsuit, which revealed disparaging messages he sent during revenue-sharing negotiations.

Phelps, 63, joined NASCAR in 2005 as vice president of corporate marketing and later served as chief marketing officer, senior vice president, executive vice president, chief operating officer and president. He was promoted to commissioner in March.

“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,” Phelps said in a news release. “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.

Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing, owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, sued NASCAR in federal antitrust case.

The discovery process during that lawsuit revealed several disparaging remarks through message sent from Phelps, with the commissioner calling NASCAR legend and team owner Richard Childress a “stupid redneck” in once instance. Phelps apologized to Childress during the trial, but his remarks drew harsh criticism from those connected to the sport.

NACAR reached a settlement with the teams in December.

The racing league did not announce additional leadership or personnel changes and said Phelps’ departure “comes during a time of stability with an exceptional leadership team in place.”

“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders,” NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France said. “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 LA 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.”

The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season will start with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Feb. 1 in Winston-Salem, N.C. The 2026 Daytona 500 will be held Feb. 15 in Daytona Beach, Fla.