In major news this morning, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has resigned from his role effective immediately. Phelps is stepping away from stock car racing, and his tenure ends with a rather negative run of news.

Whatever you have liked about NASCAR in the last few years, the new ideas, going back to Wilkesboro, Bowman Gray, Rockingham, you can probably thank Steve Phelps, in part, for that. You can also say the same thing about the changes in recent years that you don’t agree with and haven’t liked.

Phelps and NASCAR released a statement today to announce the news. It is not hard to do the math and figure out why Phelps is resigning.

“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,” Steve 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. As I embark on new pursuits in sports and other industries, I want to thank the many colleagues, friends, and especially the fans that have played such an important and motivational role in my career. 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.”

NASCAR is not going to name a replacement as Commissioner, and there are no additional leadership changes being made for 2026. Steve Phelps spent years with NASCAR, moving up the leadership ranks in the front office. Now, he’s out, and for most race fans, the feelings towards the former executive aren’t exactly happy and joyous.

Steve Phelps out as Commissioner following Richard Childress texts

How quickly things change in sports, especially when a lawsuit is going on. As part of the discovery process in the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, things came out that many wish hadn’t come out.

In particular, a series of text messages in which Phelps insulted Richard Childress multiple times was released. In those messages, Phelps said Childress, one of the most iconic team owners in the sport’s history, needed to be “taken out back and flogged.” Phelps went on to call Childress a “stupid redneck” and an “ass clown.”

NASCAR is in the process of launching a rebrand. They have a new marketing and ad agency they are working with. It was clear during the antitrust trial, especially when Childress and Phelps took the stand, that something had to change. You can’t use “redneck” as an insult in this sport when so many fans, drivers, and others in the sport proudly identify as such. On top of that, it is simply unprofessional in any context for a Commissioner to speak of a team owner in this manner.

Clearly, a lot has happened between November and now. Two months has changed so much in this sport and we aren’t even to the Clash at Bowman Gray yet.