Nascar Commissioner Steve Phelps has resigned after more than 20 years with the organisation, following the revelation of inflammatory text messages during a federal antitrust trial. The messages, which included derogatory remarks about team owner Richard Childress, were made public during the trial last month.
Phelps, who was named Nascar's first commissioner last season, announced his resignation on Tuesday. He will leave at the end of January, before the start of the first exhibition race of the season on 1 February. The resignation comes after Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris wrote a letter demanding Phelps' removal over the texts.
In one exchange, Phelps called Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress “a stupid redneck” who “needs to be taken out back and flogged.” The texts were exposed during the discovery process of the antitrust trial brought by 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports.
Nascar settled the lawsuit the day after Morris' letter went public and two days after Phelps' testimony. In a statement, Phelps expressed pride in his service and thanked colleagues and fans. He said he will seek “new pursuits in sports and other industries.”
Nascar Chair and CEO Jim France praised Phelps as “one of Nascar’s most impactful leaders,” citing his work in transforming the schedule, expanding the international footprint, and leading the sport's return during the Covid-19 pandemic. Phelps' resignation takes effect at the end of January.
