NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps Resigns Following Disclosure of Derogatory Texts

NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has announced his resignation after 20 years in the sport, stepping down following the fallout from an antitrust lawsuit that exposed controversial internal communications regarding team ownership.

Phelps revealed his decision to resign on January 6, 2026, calling the decision personal. His departure follows the conclusion of a dispute between Front Row Motorsports and 23XI Racing that challenged NASCAR’s charter system, a fundamental structure governing team participation and revenue.

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During court proceedings more than a month earlier, private text messages exchanged between Phelps and other NASCAR executives were entered into the record. Among them were messages in which Phelps sharply criticized Richard Childress, longtime owner of Richard Childress Racing. These remarks were related to Childress’s objections to the charter agreement introduced in 2024, which he ultimately signed despite his expressed concerns.

The tone and content of these messages quickly attracted attention once they were made public. The situation worsened when Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops and major sponsor of RCR’s Chevrolet-backed Cup Series efforts, formally requested Phelps’ removal from 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 significant competitive, business and structural changes. His mandate included evolving relationships with manufacturers, the evolution of team economics and the introduction of the charter system which was later the subject of a legal challenge.

NASCAR has confirmed that Phelps will officially leave his position at the end of January. The organization has not yet announced whether it plans to name a successor or completely reevaluate the commissioner role.

The resignation closes a turbulent chapter for the sanctioning body, which now faces new questions about governance, transparency and its relationships with team owners.