NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps announced his resignation on Tuesday following intense backlash from an antitrust lawsuit filed by Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing team and Front Row Motorsports. It will be effective at the end of the month.
The lawsuit, settled last month, stemmed from disputes over NASCAR’s charter agreements, which teams viewed as unfair in their revenue-sharing terms.
Phelps, who served NASCAR for 20 years and was named its first commissioner last season, reflected on his tenure in a statement, praising the sport’s fans, teams, and employees.
“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.”
Steve Phelps statement as he will leave NASCAR at end of month. NASCAR will spread his duties across other executives. No other leadership changes: pic.twitter.com/SKnBN5oT2v
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 6, 2026
NASCAR Commissioner’s Damning Texts
Not only did the Jordan team lawsuit dent NASCAR financially (settlement amounts were not disclosed, though a witness testified during the trial that teams were owed $300 million), but the discovery process was extremely damning for Phelps.
During the legal proceedings, inflammatory text messages from Phelps were revealed, including one where he referred to Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress as a “stupid redneck” who “needs to be taken out back and flogged.”
Other messages showed Phelps blasting Childress as an “idiot,” “dinosaur,” and “total ass-clown.” Not a good look for the commissioner to be disparaging a major face in your sport.
Childress, the current owner of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), is a NASCAR icon who has been involved in the sport since the 1960s. He won six Cup Series championships with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Imagine if NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was referring to LeBron James in text messages as an “idiot,” “dinosaur,” and “total ass-clown.” I mean, it’d be true, but still. You just don’t say such things.
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Bass Pro Shops CEO Nukes Phelps
The NASCAR commissioner’s comments prompted Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris to demand Phelps’ removal. That pressure seems to have worked.
Morris, whose outdoor retail empire has sponsored NASCAR for nearly three decades, described the remarks as “shockingly offensive” and as undermining the sport’s integrity.
“We are extremely upset by the recent disclosure of shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR, Steve Phelps,” he wrote. “For the Commissioner and his allies, to attack one of the pillars of the sport is incredibly irresponsible and a disservice to everyone involved in NASCAR and its partners, sponsors, and fans.”
“What Mr. Phelps may or may not be aware of is the fact that in attacking Richard Childress, the racing legend, he is also attacking one of the most respected leaders in America’s conservation community.”
The antitrust suit was initiated after NASCAR presented a “take it or leave it” charter offer in September 2024, a 112-page document that guaranteed race access and revenue but failed to address key team demands, such as making charters permanent rather than renewable.
While 13 of 15 teams reluctantly signed, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused, leaving them to race most of the 2025 season without charters. They stood up to the NASCAR beast and won.
Childress, who testified in the 23XI/Front Row trial, has hinted at pursuing his own legal action over the personal attacks, which he views as emblematic of deeper leadership biases.
A loss of trust in leadership in any sport is devastating. NASCAR won’t have to worry about that by the end of this month, it seems.
The resignation comes just before the new season, amid revelations that Phelps had been courted by the PGA Tour for a similar role, as disclosed in trial testimony. Does the PGA really want a high-ranking official who thinks some fans and players might be “rednecks”?