Daytona Beach, Florida (March 31, 2025) – NASCAR announced today the appointment of Steve Phelps as a commissioner of NASCAR, the first to be appointed to this newly created role supervising all aspects of the best American motor sport, including the International Motorsports Association (IMSA) and the 15 tracks belonging to NASCAR or operated by NASCAR. In addition, Steve O’Donnell, a long -standing leader of the industry and head of current exploitation, will succeed Phelps in the essential role of President Nascar with daily leadership of the three national NASCAR series and all commercial operations, media and Nascar track, as well as its four international series and several local and local properties. The two roles are in force immediately and will be based in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“We are delighted to appoint Steve Phelps as the first commissioner of Nascar. Its leadership, its professionalism and its well-deserved respect for the whole sports industry speak of its unique value for sport, “said Nascar’s President Jim France. “With more than 50 years of expertise between them, Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell provide great expertise, stability and commitment to daring racing innovations that will continue to serve fans, teams and stakeholders for many years to come.”
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Currently in its 20th season in Nascar, Phelps will direct all the functions of sport with a specific emphasis on strategic growth and international expansion while continuing to work directly with the owners of Nascar, Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy. Commissioner Phelps will work through the NASCAR ecosystem to provide value to all stakeholders while increasing the global fans commitment. Phelps joined Nascar in 2005 and was the fifth president of the 77th anniversary of sport since its position in 2018.
“I am honored to do this next step to help guide Nascar, the sport that I liked since my father took me to my first race at 5 years, continues to grow and welcome new fans, competitors and partners who create some of the most extraordinary moments of sport together,” said Phelps. “I cannot thank the France family enough for their unshakable commitment to our fans, their constant leadership, and above all, their stewardship of car races in stock since its creation almost eight decades ago. This sport is really one of the major American trade stories and I have the privilege of continuing in this heritage – and especially its brilliant future. ”
As the only sixth president of Nascar, Steve O’Donnell will take control of the daily management of sport by emphasizing the continuation of the historically exciting race, an exceptional partnership value and a world -class fan experience at each Nascar National Series event throughout the season. Taking advantage of more than three decades of experience in Nascar where he has occupied many roles throughout the company, from marketing to competition, the scope of O’Donnell will be extended to include all operations, competition and commercial affairs for the sanction organization.
“During my 30 years in Nascar, I was most inspired by the passion of racing fans on songs across the country. It was a privilege to help bring our sport to these fans through incredible new places and innovative engaging content that presents the best races in our sexospecific history,” said O’Donnell. “I believe that we are the best in the world to create” buckets list “events that merger sports and entertainment with the heeling, camping and experience of the most immersive fans in sport. I am honored to continue this mission and to rely on collaboration and innovation with our teams and our partners to deliver the best races to sports fans everywhere. ”
Thanks to its increased leadership responsibilities, O’Donnell will stimulate continuous innovation and engagement for the main stakeholders of NASCAR, fans and employees, creating a center of excellence for continuous growth and mutual success through sport and its increasingly global public. He will also supervise the main investments in sport in the creation and distribution of content thanks to the new Nascar production installation in North Carolina and in the Nascar Studios team in Nascar with his next slate of scripted and uncripted content aimed at bringing fans closer to the stars and stories of NASCAR.
