Steve Phelps to Depart NASCAR After More Than Two Decades with the Organization

Steve Phelps is set to step away from NASCAR, ending a tenure that spanned more than 20 years with the sanctioning body and included service as both president and the sport’s first commissioner.

Phelps joined NASCAR in 2005 and steadily rose through the organization’s leadership ranks. In 2018, he was named president, a role in which he oversaw several of the most transformative periods in modern NASCAR history. He was later appointed commissioner in 2025, a newly created position intended to help guide the sport through continued growth and evolving challenges.

During his time in leadership, Phelps played a central role in major initiatives, including the introduction of the Next Gen race car, the consolidation of NASCAR-owned tracks, and long-term media rights agreements. He was also a visible figure in NASCAR’s efforts to broaden its audience and modernize the sport’s image.

Phelps’s departure comes as NASCAR navigates ongoing legal and competitive pressures within the industry. While the organization has described the decision as a personal one, it follows months of heightened scrutiny surrounding leadership and governance issues.

NASCAR leadership praised Phelps for his contributions to the sport, crediting him with helping position the organization for the future. Plans for leadership responsibilities moving forward have not yet been formally announced.

His exit closes a significant chapter for NASCAR as it prepares for the upcoming season and continues to address the evolving landscape of professional motorsports.