NASCAR announced Tuesday that Commissioner Steve Phelps will resign from his position by the end of January 2026, just weeks before the start of the next racing season. The decision comes less than a year after Phelps was appointed to the role in March 2025.
Phelps has been a central figure within NASCAR for two decades, having joined the organization in 2005. Over the years, he held several senior leadership roles, including chief operating officer and president, before being named commissioner. His tenure placed him at the forefront of some of the most significant changes and challenges facing the sport in recent years.
During his time as a top executive, Phelps played a key role in the introduction of the Cup Series’ Next Gen race car, a project aimed at modernizing the sport and improving competition. While the car represented a major technical shift, it also drew criticism from drivers and fans over safety concerns and racing quality, placing Phelps in the center of ongoing debate within the garage and the fan base.
Phelps was also involved in the public and legal tensions surrounding a lawsuit filed against NASCAR by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, a dispute that added scrutiny to the organization’s leadership and governance structure. Despite those controversies, NASCAR leadership described Phelps as a highly influential figure during a period of transition.
Under his leadership, NASCAR returned several historic venues to the national schedule, including North Wilkesboro Speedway, Rockingham Speedway, and Bowman-Gray Stadium, moves that were widely viewed as efforts to reconnect the sport with its roots.
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France credited Phelps with providing steady leadership and long-term vision, and the organization said it does not currently plan to name a successor. NASCAR characterized the transition as occurring during a period of overall stability.
The timing of Phelps’ departure comes as the 2026 season approaches. NASCAR is scheduled to open the year with The Clash on Feb. 1 at Bowman-Gray Stadium, followed two weeks later by the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 15.
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