Steve Phelps Steps Down as NASCAR Commissioner
NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps announced his resignation after more than two decades in the premier US racing series. The decision comes after a federal trial in which controversial messages he sent during negotiations over revenue sharing were revealed. Phelps will leave the company at the end of the month, before the start of the season. He was named NASCAR’s first commissioner last season, after a similar selection process by the PGA Tour. This opportunity with the PGA was revealed during December’s testimony in the antitrust trial filed by two racing teams against NASCAR. The image of the high-ranking NASCAR executive was affected during the trial and the pre-discovery process, when communications he exchanged with senior management were exposed. In one exchange, Phelps referred to Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress as “a stupid redneck” who “needs to be taken out and whipped.” This led Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, a fervent supporter of both NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing, to write a letter demanding Phelps’ removal as commissioner. NASCAR settled the lawsuit with 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, the day after Morris’s letter.He added that he will look for “new activities in sports and other industries” and thanked colleagues, friends, and fans who “played such an important and motivating role in my career”. He also thanked the France family, founders and owners of NASCAR, who hired him from the NFL two decades ago and promoted him to a position that could have earned him $5 million annually with bonuses. NASCAR stated that Phelps’ leadership transformed a stagnant schedule with new events, “dream experiences for fans,” and reshaped its strategic vision. Phelps was also praised for expanding NASCAR’s international footprint, securing long-term media rights and franchise agreements, and building a leadership team focused on building the future of stock car racing with the fan experience at its core. NASCAR did not announce any additional changes in leadership or personnel and said there are no immediate plans to replace him as commissioner or to seek external leadership. His responsibilities will be delegated internally through NASCAR President, now Steve O’Donnell, and the executive leadership team. O’Donnell assumed the position of president of Phelps after the latter’s promotion to commissioner. Although both were mostly in favor of improving revenue sharing for the teams in more than two years of communications, the discovery process showed their growing frustration with the NASCAR board of directors for their refusal to make the franchises permanent. Phelps appeared to be an advocate for more concessions for racing teams, but as the process dragged on, he eventually aligned himself with the France family, and it was then that his communications became more direct. It was the attacks on Childress that attracted the most attention, and Phelps said in court last month that he regretted his words, had apologized to Childress, and explained that he was venting out of frustration.“As a lifelong racing fan, I am immensely proud to have served as NASCAR’s first commissioner and to have led our great sport through so many challenges, opportunities, and incredible firsts during my 20 years,” Phelps said in a statement.
Steve Phelps
This was not enough for Morris, a former supporter of Childress’ teams.
“We can’t help but wonder what would happen if Major League Baseball brought in a new commissioner and he spoke ill of one of the true legends who built the game like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth,” Morris wrote. “Such a lack of respect would probably not sit well with the fans; such a commissioner would probably not keep his job for long.”
