In what’s being termed a “personal decision to step away,” longtime executive Steve Phelps is departing NASCAR after 20-plus years in upper and uppermost management.
Though his exit comes in the roiling wake of his role in the recent antitrust case, NASCAR’s Tuesday morning press release treated the Phelps decision in traditional business terms.
Advertisement
From the release: “NASCAR today announced that Steve Phelps has made the personal decision to step away from the company and his role as Commissioner of America’s top motorsport.
Steve Phelps announced Tuesday he is “stepping away” from his job as NASCAR commissioner.
“Phelps, who joined NASCAR in 2005, will transition out of the company by the end of the month leaving a legacy of leadership and a strategic vision that delivered significant growth and lasting innovation, championed equity and social justice initiatives, and created industry-wide opportunities for all stakeholders.”
Steve Phelps first arrived at NASCAR in 2005
Phelps, who worked for the NFL from 1990-2004 (eventually as VP of corporate marketing), came to NASCAR as a marketing manager and soon began moving up through a series of vice president roles before being named chief operating officer in early 2018.
Advertisement
Later that year, he was promoted to the role of NASCAR president, just the fifth president in the first 70 years of the organization. This past year, his title changed and he became NASCAR’s first day-to-day commissioner, while another longtime executive, Steve O’Donnell, was promoted to president.
Phelps’ NASCAR tenure saw rapid-fire changes in all facets — at least by the sport’s usual pace — including scheduling, playoff formats, marketing strategies and even the equipment, as the Next Gen car arrived in 2022. All of the directional changes were met with a mix of critiques as NASCAR toed the line between its old-school fans and the need to meet various modern demands.
Was the NASCAR antitrust trial his undoing?
Phelps, 63, became a personal lightning rod during the recent antitrust suit, which was settled before the ninth day of a jury trial in Charlotte, N.C.
Advertisement
During the pre-trial discovery phase, internal texts and emails were entered into evidence, including a series of texts where Phelps made disparaging remarks about several members of the industry, most notably longtime championship team owner Richard Childress.
Many onlookers wondered about Phelps’ NASCAR future, and that question has been answered. No mention of the controversy made the release.
“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, a Vermont native, said through the press release. “Our sport is built on the passion of our fans, the dedication of our teams and partners, and the commitment of our wonderful employees.”
Advertisement
Comments from NASCAR’s France family
From NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France: “Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders. For decades he has worked tirelessly to thrill fans, support teams and execute a vision for the sport that has treated us all to some of the greatest moments in our nearly 80-year history. Steve leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and collaboration with an unrelenting growth mindset.”
From Lesa France Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice Chair: “A true consensus builder and passionate advocate, we thank Steve for bringing his intelligence, integrity and love of racing to this sport each and every day. While his career may take him elsewhere, he’ll always have a place in our NASCAR family.”
Finally, from NASCAR’s Daytona Beach headquarters: “There are no immediate plans to replace the Commissioner role or to seek outside leadership as the administration of (Phelps’) responsibilities will be delegated internally through NASCAR’s President and executive leadership team.”
— Email Ken Willis at ken.willis@news-jrnl.com
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR shakeup sees Steve Phelps ‘step away’ from commissioner role
