NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps
resigns after inflammatory texts revealed in trial
[January 07, 2026]
By JENNA FRYER
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The fallout from NASCAR's federal antitrust
trial continued into the new year as NASCAR Commissioner Steve
Phelps on Tuesday announced his resignation after more than 20 years
with the top racing series in the United States.
His resignation comes after last month's trial in which inflammatory
texts Phelps sent during contentious revenue-sharing negotiations
were revealed. Phelps will leave the company at the end of the
month, ahead of the start of the first exhibition race of the season
on Feb. 1.
He was named NASCAR’s first commissioner last season after a
courting process for the same role by the PGA golf tour. The
opportunity with the PGA was revealed during December testimony of
the antitrust trial brought by two race teams against NASCAR and
Phelps testified he pulled out of consideration for that role upon
the NASCAR promotion from president.
The top executive at NASCAR was deeply bruised during the trial —
and the discovery process leading into it — when communications he
exchanged with his leadership team was exposed. In one exchange,
Phelps called Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress “a stupid
redneck” who “needs to be taken out back and flogged.”
That led Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, an ardent supporter
of both NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing, to write a damning
letter demanding Phelps’ removal as commissioner.
After he concluded his testimony in the nine-day trial last month,
Phelps left the stand with his jaw clenched, his face red, and he
made no eye contact with NASCAR's owners as he briskly headed
directly out of the courtroom. His fiancée trailed after him as he
even refused to look in her direction.
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’ letter went public and two days after Phelps'
testimony.
“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 statement. “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.”
He added he will seek “new pursuits in sports and other industries”
and thanked colleagues, friends and fans that “played such an
important and motivational role in my career.”
He also thanked the France family, the founders and owners of
NASCAR, who hired him away from the NFL two decades ago and promoted
him to a position that could have netted him $5 million annually
with bonuses.
“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,” Phelps concluded.
Phelps is a native of Vermont, where as a child he became a fan of
local racing. He graduated from both the University of Vermont,
where he set the school record in the 800 meters, and Boston
College, where he earned a masters in business administration.
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NASCAR president Steve Phelps announces the inductees to the 2025
NASCAR Hall of Fame class, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
(AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)
NASCAR thanks Phelps for leadership
NASCAR said that Phelps’ leadership transformed a stale schedule
with new events, “bucket list fan experiences,” and reshaped its
strategic vision. Phelps was also lauded for expanding NASCAR’s
international footprint, securing long-term media rights and charter
agreements, and building a leadership team that is focused on
building the future of stock car racing with fan experience at its
core.
“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful
leaders,” said Jim France, the NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “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.”
Phelps also led NASCAR as it became the first sport to return to
competition during the COVID-19 shutdown, as well as developing
races inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the downtown
streets of Chicago.
“Steve leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and
collaboration with an unrelenting growth mindset,” France added.
Lesa France Kennedy, the NASCAR executive vice chair, said “while
his career may take him elsewhere, he’ll always have a place in our
NASCAR family.”
NASCAR did not announce any additional leadership or personnel
changes and said there are no immediate plans to replace him as
commissioner or to seek outside leadership. His responsibilities
will be delegated internally through NASCAR’s president — now Steve
O’Donnell — and the executive leadership team.
O’Donnell moved into Phelps’ role as president upon Phelps’
promotion to commissioner. Although the two were mostly in favor of
improving revenue-sharing for the teams in over two-plus years of
bitter negotiations, the discovery process showed their growing
frustration with NASCAR’s board of directors over its refusal to
make the charters permanent.
The Childress texts
Phelps appeared to be an advocate for more concessions for the race
teams, but as the process dragged on, he ultimately fell in line
with the France family and that’s when his communications became
more pointed. He testified he felt the teams had received a fair
deal on the new charter agreements.
But it was the attacks on Childress that drew the most attention and
Phelps said in court he regretted his words, had apologized to
Childress and explained he was venting out of frustration.
It wasn’t good enough for Morris, a longtime backer of Childress
teams.
“We can’t help but wonder what would happen if Major League Baseball
brought in a new commissioner and he or she trash-talked one of the
true legends who built the game like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted
Williams, Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth?” Morris 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!”
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