By Holly Cain, NASCAR Wire Service
NASCAR announced Tuesday that Steve Phelps will be leaving his position as Commissioner of the stock car sanctioning body after a two-decade long career in the sport’s executive leadership.
The decision was Phelps’ and NASCAR leaders offered the 63-year old Vermont-native praise for the legacy and accomplishments he leaves behind over a long career of guiding the sport – noting “a legacy of leadership and a strategic vision that delivered significant growth and lasting innovation, championed equity and social justice initiatives, and created industry-wide opportunities for all stakeholders.”
Phelps held the helm of the sport through a modern-era time of both great challenges – such as navigating the COVID pandemic – and noted triumphs, such as a broader international presence and billion-dollar media rights agreements.
“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,’’ Phelps said.
“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 and that of new entrants to our ecosystem, such as media partners, auto manufacturers, track operators and incredible racing talent.”
Among Phelps’ legacies as a leader is what many in the sport consider a “transformational” new schedule in NASCAR’s big leagues, from the holding the annual “Clash” preseason feature at California’s famed Los Angeles Coliseum to adding races again at some of NASCAR’s favored venerable facilities such as North Wilkesboro (N.C.) Speedway and Raleigh’s Bowman Gray Stadium to adding first-time street races in Chicago and this year in San Diego, as well as bringing NASCAR internationally to a well-received event in Mexico City last season.
Among the highlights under Phelp’s tenure, NASCAR completed its merger with International Speedway Corporation (ISC) in 2019 and launched the Next Gen race car in 2022 – only the seventh new car in the sport’s history. He is also credited with leading the sport’s outreach to new fans and of course, securing a long-term media rights deal, and overseeing the sport’s innovative charter agreements.
“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders,” NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France said, calling it an “honor” to work alongside Phelps.
“For decades he has worked tirelessly to thrill fans, support team and execute a vision for the sport that has treated us all to some of the greatest moments in our nearly 80-year history,” France said.
Phelps thanked the France family, colleagues, friends and fans for playing an “important and motivational role in my career” said he plans to “embark on new pursuits in sports and other industries.”
The reigning NASCAR Cup Series championship Hendrick Motorsports organization released a statement thanking Phelps for his ‘leadership and dedication to NASCAR” noting he “helped our sport navigate opportunities, challenges and periods of significant change while positioning it for the future.”
No successor to Phelps has been named and in a statement announcing Phelps planned departure, NASCAR said, “there are no immediate plans to replace the Commissioner role or to seek outside leadership as the administration of his responsibilities will be delegated internally through NASCAR’s President and executive leadership team.”
