 | CONNELL GRANGE SUPPLY WHERE THE CUSTOMER IS STILL THE COMPANY |
|
Printable Page
01/06 09:11 CST NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps resigns after inflammatory
texts revealed in trial
NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps resigns after inflammatory texts revealed in
trial
By JENNA FRYER
AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) --- NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps on Tuesday announced
his resignation after more than 20 years with the top racing series in the
United States and a nasty federal trial in which inflammatory texts he sent
during contentious revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed.
Phelps will leave the company at the end of the month, ahead of the start of
the season. He was named NASCAR's first commissioner last season after a
courting process for the same role by the PGA golf tour. The opportunity with
the PGA was revealed during December testimony of the antitrust trial brought
by two race teams against NASCAR.
But the top executive at NASCAR was deeply bruised during the trial --- and the
discovery process leading into it --- when communications he exchanged with top
leadership was exposed. In one exchange, Phelps called Hall of Fame team owner
Richard Childress "a stupid redneck" who "needs to be taken out back and
flogged."
That led Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, an ardent supporter of both
NASCAR and Richard Childress Racing, to write a letter demanding Phelps'
removal as commissioner.
NASCAR settled the lawsuit with 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny
Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, the day after Morris'
letter.
"As a lifelong race 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 over my 20 years," Phelps said in a
statement. "Our sport is built on the passion of our fans, the dedication of
our teams and partners, and the commitment of our wonderful employees.
"It has been an honor to help synthesize the enthusiasm of long-standing NASCAR
stakeholders with that of new entrants to our ecosystem, such as media
partners, auto manufacturers, track operators, and incredible racing talent."
He added he will seek "new pursuits in sports and other industries" and thanked
colleagues, friends and fans that "played such an important and motivational
role in my career."
___
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
