Steve Phelps will step down as NASCAR commissioner and leave the company after more than 20 years by the end of the month, the racing giant announced Tuesday.
Phelps had come under fire after inflammatory texts he sent during controversial revenue-sharing negotiations with the organization’s racing teams came to light. during NASCAR’s federal antitrust trial last month.
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In one of those messages sent to his management team, Phelps referenced the Hall of Fame team owner. Richard Childress as an “idiot” and a “stupid redneck” who “needs to be taken out and whipped.”
That prompted Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris — whose company is a longtime sponsor of NASCAR and some of its teams, including Richard Childress Racing — to issue a scathing statement accusing Phelps of being “unable to be fair and objective when it comes to impartially enforcing the rules and regulations that govern the sport.”
Learn more: NASCAR settles antitrust lawsuit involving Michael Jordan, agrees to permanent charters for all teams
Morris also suggested that a hypothetical MLB commissioner who made such disparaging remarks about a baseball legend “probably wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, keep his job very long.”
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Just weeks later, Phelps is set to leave NASCAR after rising through the ranks from vice president of corporate marketing in 1995 to the newly created commissioner position last March.
“As a lifelong racing 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 during my 20 years,” Phelps said in a statement released by NASCAR.
“…As I embark on new endeavors in sports and other industries, I want to thank the many colleagues, friends and especially the fans who have played such an important and motivating role in my career. Words cannot fully express the deep appreciation I have for this life-changing experience, for the trust of the France family and for having a place in the incredible history of NASCAR.”
NASCAR said it has no immediate plans to appoint a new commissioner. Phelps’ responsibilities will be delegated through the organization’s president, Steve O’Donnell, and his leadership team.
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Learn more: Michael Jordan testifies in his racing team’s antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR. Here’s how it got there
“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most influential executives,” Jim France, NASCAR chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “For decades, he worked tirelessly to delight fans, support teams and implement a vision for the sport that gave us all some of the greatest moments in our nearly 80-year history. It was an honor to work alongside him to achieve the impossible…Steve leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and collaboration with a relentless growth mindset.”
23XI Racing – owned by NBA legend Michael Jordanthree-time Daytona 500 winner Denis Hamlin and Curtis Polk, Jordan’s longtime business advisor – and Front Row Motorsports, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, filed an antitrust lawsuit in the Western District of North Carolina.
The trial began on December 1 and was settled 10 days laterNASCAR agreeing to grant all of its teams the permanent charters they sought.
This story was originally published in Los Angeles Times.
