NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps Resigns After Explosive Text Revelations

Steve Phelps’ illustrious 20-year career with NASCAR, which culminated in a less-than-a-year stint as the sport’s Commissioner, came to an abrupt end on January 6, 2026. This was no quiet transition but a high-profile exit, fueled by the intense fallout from a contentious antitrust lawsuit that laid bare his unfiltered private communications, sending shockwaves through the motorsports world.

A Legacy Forged in Transformation and Innovation

Phelps, who served as NASCAR president from 2018-2025 before his promotion to Commissioner in March 2025, was undeniably instrumental in steering the sport through a period of significant challenges and unprecedented opportunities. He is widely credited with guiding NASCAR into the modern media age, securing the lucrative 2025-31 media rights deal that promises a robust future for the league. His leadership during the chaotic COVID-19 pandemic stands out, as NASCAR became one of the first major sports to return to action, completing a full 38-race season against immense odds, a testament to his strategic vision and determination.

Under Phelps’s guidance, the sport witnessed a dramatic transformation of its annual schedule, introducing innovative, fan-centric events that captivated new audiences and energized existing ones. Landmark initiatives included the highly successful L.A. Memorial Coliseum race and NASCAR’s groundbreaking first-ever street race in downtown Chicago. These ‘bucket list’ fan experiences, as described by NASCAR Executive Vice Chair Lesa France Kennedy, reshaped the sport’s strategic vision and expanded its international footprint, demonstrating Phelps’s commitment to growth and fan engagement.

The Unraveling: Texts, Lawsuits, and Public Scrutiny

The narrative surrounding Phelps took a sharp and unexpected turn with the antitrust lawsuit brought against NASCAR by two prominent race teams: 23XI Racing, co-owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins. It was during the discovery process for this federal trial that Phelps’s private text messages became public, revealing a stark contrast to his carefully curated public persona. These texts, exchanged with top leadership, exposed his deep-seated frustrations and highly critical views of key figures within the sport, igniting a firestorm of controversy that ultimately proved too difficult to overcome.

Derogatory Remarks and Industry Backlash

Among the most damaging revelations were Phelps’s comments about revered Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress. After Childress publicly questioned the beneficiaries of a potential media rights deal during an interview on SiriusXM, Phelps reportedly texted, ‘Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.’ He later added in the same chain, ‘If he’s that angry (and apparently he is) sign your charter extension and sell. He’s not smart — is a dinosaur — and a malcontent. … Total ass-clown.’ These remarks, detailed by FOX Sports and ESPN, drew immediate and severe backlash from within and outside the racing community.

The outrage was palpable. Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and a staunch, long-time supporter of both NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing, penned a scathing letter demanding Phelps’s removal as Commissioner. Morris powerfully articulated the sentiment, asking, ‘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?’ This comparison underscored the gravity of Phelps’s comments and the perceived disrespect towards a foundational figure of the sport.

Internal Frustrations and Strategic Clashes

Childress was not Phelps’s only target in his unguarded communications. His texts also revealed significant frustration with NASCAR Cup drivers and owners who were competing in the SRX Series, dismissing them as ‘just plain stupid’ and proposing to ‘put a knife in this trash series.’ Furthermore, Phelps expressed exasperation with one of NASCAR Chairman Jim France’s proposals for a new charter agreement, labeling it ‘insanity’ while advocating for team priorities during the sensitive negotiations. These candid exchanges offered a rare, unfiltered glimpse into the internal dynamics and power struggles at the highest echelons of NASCAR leadership, painting a picture of a leader grappling with complex political and strategic challenges.

A Settlement and a Sudden Exit

The antitrust lawsuit, which culminated in a settlement following eight days of intense trial testimony, undoubtedly accelerated Phelps’s departure. While NASCAR’s official statement maintained that his resignation was a ‘personal decision,’ the timing, coupled with the public outcry and legal pressure from figures like Morris, strongly suggested otherwise. Sports Yahoo highlighted that the news came ‘months after court filings revealed Phelps made derogatory comments’ about Childress, comments that Phelps himself acknowledged during his testimony. Phelps also revealed in court that he had been approached for the PGA commissioner role, but after an initial meeting, he withdrew his name from consideration.

NASCAR’s Acknowledgment and Future Leadership

Despite the controversial nature of his exit, NASCAR Chairman Jim France and Executive Vice Chair Lesa France Kennedy publicly praised Phelps’s contributions. France lauded him as ‘one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders,’ crediting him with ‘achieving the impossible,’ such as being the first sport to return during COVID, and ‘delivering the unimaginable’ with new races in unique venues. Kennedy echoed this sentiment, recognizing his ‘strong leadership and a consistent pursuit of excellence with a sincere commitment to our fans.’

Moving forward, NASCAR announced no immediate plans to replace the Commissioner role. Instead, Phelps’s responsibilities will be delegated internally to President Steve O’Donnell and the executive leadership team, signaling a shift in the organizational structure and potentially consolidating power within existing leadership.

The Architect of Agreements, Undone by Words

Ironically, Phelps was widely regarded within the sport as someone who worked tirelessly to negotiate a charter agreement that would benefit both teams and NASCAR, striving to *avoid* the very litigation that ultimately shadowed his final 15 months in office. Upon his departure, Phelps issued a statement reflecting on his tenure: ‘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.’ He indicated his readiness to embark on ‘new pursuits in sports and other industries,’ closing a chapter marked by both profound achievement and public controversy.

Steve Phelps’ abrupt resignation serves as a stark reminder of the double-edged sword of modern leadership in the digital age. While his tenure was marked by undeniable innovation and strategic navigation through unprecedented challenges, the unvarnished candor of private communications, once exposed, proved insurmountable. It underscores a fundamental truth: a leader’s legacy is not solely defined by their public achievements, but also by the integrity and respect they demonstrate in their most unguarded moments, especially when those moments contradict the very spirit of collaboration and respect that underpins a collective enterprise like NASCAR.