> At a Glance
> – Steve Phelps is stepping down as NASCAR’s first commissioner at month’s end
> – Inflamatory texts surfaced during an antitrust trial brought by two race teams
> – Johnny Morris demanded his removal after Phelps insulted Richard Childress
> – Why it matters: Leadership shake-up hits NASCAR just as the new season is about to start
NASCAR’s inaugural commissioner Steve Phelps is out after more than 20 years with the series, his exit triggered by court-revealed messages that blasted a Hall of Fame team owner.
The Resignation Timeline
Phelps informed the series Tuesday that he will leave when January ends. The announcement lands weeks before engines fire for the 2025 campaign.
He had been elevated to commissioner last season, a role created after the PGA Tour tried to hire him away. That offer surfaced during December testimony in the federal antitrust suit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
Courtroom Fallout
Discovery in the case exposed Phelps’ private notes to NASCAR brass. One thread labeled Richard Childress:
- “a stupid redneck”
- someone who “needs to be taken out back and flogged”
Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and a longtime Childress sponsor, fired off a letter calling for Phelps’ firing. NASCAR settled the lawsuit the next day.
Praise and Legacy
Despite the messy exit, executives praised his tenure.
Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO:
> “Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders.”
The sanctioning body credited Phelps with:
- Creating new events and “bucket list fan experiences”
- Securing long-term media and charter deals
- Expanding international reach
- Returning to competition first during the COVID shutdown
- Launching races inside the L.A. Coliseum and on Chicago streets
Phelps, hired from the NFL two decades ago, thanked the France family and said he will pursue “new pursuits in sports and other industries.”
What Happens Next
No successor has been named. Duties will be split internally under President Steve O’Donnell and the executive team.
Key Takeaways
- Phelps departs after 20+ years, the last season as commissioner
- His texts attacking Childress ignited sponsor backlash
- NASCAR settled the team lawsuit one day after Morris’ letter
- The series will not conduct an outside search for a replacement
The commissioner role disappears as quickly as it was created, leaving NASCAR to start the new season with an in-house leadership shuffle rather than a fresh face.
