NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps Resigns Following Antitrust Trial and Leaked Texts
Daytona Beach, Tuesday, 6 January 2026.
Steve Phelps announced his resignation as NASCAR Commissioner on January 6, 2026, following a backlash over leaked texts in which he referred to team owner Richard Childress as a ‘stupid redneck.’ This significant leadership shakeup, occurring shortly after a contentious antitrust settlement, leaves the organization without a direct successor as executive duties are set to be redistributed internally.
Leadership Crisis and Immediate Departure
The resignation of Steve Phelps, announced on January 6, 2026, marks an abrupt end to his tenure as NASCAR’s first-ever Commissioner [1][2]. While Phelps described the move as a personal decision to step away, the timing coincides with intense external pressure following the release of disparaging internal communications [2][3]. Phelps is scheduled to transition out of his role by the end of January 2026, concluding an executive career with the racing body that began in 2005 [1][2]. This rapid departure signals a turbulent start to the 2026 season for the organization, which had only named him Commissioner in the spring of 2025 [1].
Unsealed Texts Reveal Deep Rifts
The catalyst for this leadership shakeup appears to be a series of inflammatory text messages exchanged in August 2023 between Phelps and NASCAR executive Brian Herbst [3]. In these communications, which surfaced during a recent antitrust lawsuit, Phelps referred to Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress as a “stupid redneck” and an “ungrateful dinosaur” who “owes his entire fortune to NASCAR” [1][3]. Further exacerbating the friction, Phelps wrote that Childress “needs to be taken out back and flogged” and labeled him a “total a— clown” [1][3]. These remarks drew sharp condemnation from key industry stakeholders, including Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, who publicly called for Phelps to resign or be fired due to the derogatory comments directed at Childress [1].
Antitrust Fallout and Governance Restructuring
The internal strife surrounding Phelps is inextricably linked to the broader legal challenges NASCAR has faced. The text messages were revealed in the wake of a contentious antitrust lawsuit involving a team owned by Michael Jordan, which resulted in a settlement on December 11, 2025 [1]. The disparaging remarks regarding charter negotiations were reportedly a key factor in the organization’s legal setbacks [3]. In response to Phelps’s exit, NASCAR has opted not to appoint a direct successor to the Commissioner role immediately [2]. Instead, the organization announced that responsibilities will be redistributed internally among the President and the existing executive leadership team, indicating a shift toward a more decentralized governance structure for the immediate future [2][3].
A Complex Legacy of Innovation and Controversy
Phelps leaves behind a transformative but complicated legacy spanning over two decades. Before his promotion to Commissioner, he served as Chief Operating Officer and President, overseeing significant milestones such as the merger with International Speedway Corporation (ISC) and the launch of the Next Gen race car in 2022—only the seventh new vehicle iteration in the sport’s history [2][3]. Despite the controversy clouding his departure, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France praised Phelps, stating he would be remembered as one of the sport’s “most impactful leaders” who executed a vision that treated fans to historic moments [1][2]. However, the revelation of his private antagonism toward team owners has cast a shadow over these operational achievements [3].