Steve Phelps Out as NASCAR Commissioner Amidst Lawsuit Fallout

EDDIE KALEGI - STAFF WRITER

Steve Phelps discussed NASCAR's antitrust lawsuit during his annual "State of the Sport" at Phoenix Raceway last November. (Photo Credit: Jared C. Tilton - Getty Images)

In the wake of continued fallout from last month's trial against 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has made the personal decision to step away from the sport ahead of the 2026 season.

Phelps, a Burlington, Vermont native and University of Vermont graduate, first joined the NASCAR leadership team in 2005 as Vice President of Corporate Marketing, rising the ranks to become the organization's Chief Operating Officer just 13 years later in 2018.

That same year, Phelps was appointed as the fifth President of NASCAR, succeeding interim leader Brent Dewar, who was a temporary stabilizer for the sport following the ousting of Brian France after his DUI arrest and subsequent rehabilitation. Last season, Phelps' leadership role was again amended, promoted to become the first NASCAR Commissioner, expanding his authority over other holdings, including IMSA and the 15 NASCAR-owned racetracks across the United States.

Phelps was an architect of several landmark changes in the sport in recent years, spearheading one-of-a-kind events like the Chicago Street Race and the Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, negotiating NASCAR's most recent ten-figure media rights' deal, and overseeing the development of the Next Gen car.

However, in the weeks leading up to the trial between NASCAR and two teams suing on the grounds of antitrust, messages from Phelps and other executives were made public, containing controversial remarks about multiple members of the NASCAR community, most notably team owner Richard Childress. Specifically, in a 2023 text exchange, Phelps called Childress a "stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR," later saying he "needs to be taken out back and flogged." These leaks brought intense scrutiny onto the sanctioning body, undoubtedly playing a role in the leadership change.

In a statement released Tuesday morning, Phelps said "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. 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."

NASCAR has not announced a successor for the outgoing Phelps, with his responsibilities expected to be spread between multiple other returning executives, according to FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass.

"Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR's most impactful leaders," NASCAR CEO Jim France said. "Steve leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and collaboration with an unrelenting growth mindset."