Who Is Steve Phelps? NASCAR First Commissioner Resigns After 20 Years

Steve Phelps, the first-ever commissioner of NASCAR and one of the sport’s most influential executives in recent history, retired in January 2026 after a remarkable two-decade-long career with the organization.

His resignation followed the public release of controversial internal text messages during a high-profile antitrust lawsuit, bringing an end to a tenure defined by both growth and transformation.

Phelps began his NASCAR journey in 2005 as Vice President of Corporate Marketing and steadily climbed the ranks during a period of major organizational overhauls. He later served as Chief Marketing Officer, then Chief Operating Officer, before being named President of NASCAR in 2018, becoming only the fifth individual to hold that position since the sport’s governing body was founded in 1948.

He was subsequently appointed as NASCAR’s inaugural commissioner, a role designed to provide stronger centralized leadership. During his tenure, Phelps oversaw key initiatives that reshaped NASCAR’s business model and expanded its long-term prospects.

Among his most notable achievements were landmark media rights agreements with FOX, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, TNT Sports, and The CW, deals widely credited with stabilizing NASCAR’s finances and broadening its digital and broadcast presence.

Phelps’ leadership was particularly tested when NASCAR resumed racing amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, becoming the first major U.S. sport to do so under stringent safety protocols. He also played a pivotal role in promoting racial equality and inclusion, driving new partnerships, diversified ownership, and improving the sport’s public perception. NASCAR was named Sports Business Journal’s League of the Year in 2021.

On the track, Phelps oversaw the introduction of the Next Gen car, revamped race schedules, and new events such as the Chicago Street Race, resulting in record-setting seasons and enhanced fan experiences.

However, his legacy was later overshadowed by backlash over offensive language used in private messages about a prominent team owner, leading to his decision to step down at the end of January 2026.

Following his resignation, Phelps released a statement thanking his colleagues and fans, calling his NASCAR career “life changing.” The organization has not yet announced a successor or additional leadership changes.