How antitrust lawsuit led to NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps' resignation

NASCAR announced on Tuesday that commissioner Steve Phelps will resign at the end of January. 

Phelps, 63, has worked at NASCAR since 2005, becoming the sport's president in 2018 and its first commissioner in 2025. While the official reason given for Phelps' departure was a "personal decision," the likely answer behind the move lies in the lawsuit between 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR, which was settled in December. 

Roadmap of Steve Phelps' inflammatory actions 

In late November, weeks after the 2025 NASCAR season concluded at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Ariz., the antitrust lawsuit between two NASCAR Cup Series teams and the sanctioning body continued. That led to a series of text messages between Phelps and other members of NASCAR leadership being revealed. 

On Nov. 21, it was revealed that Phelps sent a message saying, "Need to put a knife in this trash series" regarding the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX). It was a stock-car racing series that saw many NASCAR drivers, including Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch and Chase Elliott, among others, compete in races. 

However, perhaps the most damning piece of evidence uncovered throughout the entire 14-month soap opera that was the antitrust case was a series of messages that Phelps sent regarding longtime NASCAR team owner Richard Childress. 

On Nov. 23, more text messages surfaced, including one in which Phelps called Childress a "stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR," and also said that the 80-year-old Childress needed "to be taken out back and flogged." 

Childress later gave testimony during the December trial for the antitrust case, and it was announced on Nov. 24 that the legendary car owner was contemplating legal action against Phelps after the "insensitive and defamatory" statements made about Childress. Childress has yet to take any action against Phelps. 

Next steps for NASCAR, Steve Phelps

Phelps' resignation is the only leadership change taking place at this time, as NASCAR president Steve O'Donnell will remain in place. According to a NASCAR statement, "There are no immediate plans to replace the Commissioner role or to seek outside leadership." 

It's not known whether Phelps will choose to retire or seek another executive role in sports. In April 2025, it was reported that the PGA was looking into Phelps for its CEO opening.