NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has announced his resignation after 20 years with the sport, as an antitrust lawsuit exposed the fallout from contentious internal communications involving team ownership.
Phelps disclosed his decision to resign on January 6, 2026, saying the move was for personal reasons. His departure comes at the end of a legal dispute between Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing that challenged NASCAR’s franchise system, the basic structure that governs team participation and revenue.
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Private text messages exchanged between Phelps and other NASCAR leaders were recorded during court proceedings more than a month ago. They included messages in which Phelps harshly criticized Richard Childress, the longtime owner of Richard Childress Racing. The comments related to Childress’s opposition to the concession deal being introduced in 2024, which he ultimately signed despite expressing concerns.
The tone and content of these messages quickly attracted attention once they became public. The situation escalated further when Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and primary sponsor of the RCR Chevrolet Cup Series, officially called for Phelps to be relieved of his leadership role. Morris has long supported the team’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 program, giving his response added weight within the industry.
Phelps joined NASCAR in 2005 and later became its first commissioner, overseeing the sport through major competitive, business and structural changes. His tenure included dealing with changing manufacturer relationships, evolving team economics and the introduction of a concession system that was later the subject of a legal challenge.
NASCAR confirmed Phelps will officially leave the company at the end of January. The organization has not announced whether it plans to name a successor or re-evaluate the commissioner’s role entirely.
The resignation ends a tumultuous chapter for the sanctioning body, which now faces new questions about governance, transparency and its relationship with team owners.
