Steve Phelps
NASCAR Commissioner Steps Down
… After Controversial Texts Revealed
Published
NASCAR’s veteran commissioner, Steve Phelps, made the surprising announcement of his resignation on Tuesday after two decades of service to the racing series. His decision came in the wake of the exposure of damning text messages during a recent legal battle.
Revelations of text exchanges among NASCAR executives from 2023 emerged during the antitrust trial involving two racing teams, including 23XI Racing owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and the NASCAR organization.
Phelps was found to have disparaged Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress in the texts, referring to him as “a stupid redneck” who “needs to be taken out back and flogged,” along with other derogatory remarks.
Following the lawsuit settlement, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris demanded Phelps’ removal as commissioner, prompting his decision to leave the position at the end of the month. The 2026 NASCAR season kicks off on February 14 with the Daytona 500.
In a statement, Phelps expressed gratitude to his colleagues, friends, and fans for their support throughout his career, acknowledging the impact they had on his professional journey.
No immediate announcements have been made regarding leadership changes within NASCAR following Phelps’ departure.
