Steve Phelps has been promoted to the newly created role of commissioner of NASCAR, the sanctioning body announced March 31.
Phelps moves to the role from the position of president, which will be taken by Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s COO.
It’s the first time NASCAR has had a commissioner, a role more common within other major American professional sports.
“We are thrilled to name Steve Phelps as NASCAR’s first commissioner,” Jim France, NASCAR’s chairman and CEO, said in a release. “His leadership, professionalism and well-earned respect from across the sports industry speak to his unique value for the sport.
“With more than 50 years of expertise between them, both Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell bring tremendous expertise, stability and a commitment to the bold racing innovations that will continue to serve fans, teams and stakeholders for many years to come.”
“I’m honored to take this next step in helping to guide NASCAR, the sport I’ve loved since my father took me to my first race at 5 years old, continue to grow and welcome new fans, competitors and partners that together create some of the most extraordinary moments in sports,” Phelps added. “I cannot thank the France family enough for their unwavering commitment to our fans, their steady leadership, and most importantly, their stewardship of stock-car racing since its inception nearly eight decades ago. This sport is truly one of the great American business stories and I’m privileged to continue as part of that legacy – and especially its bright future.”
“In my 30 years in NASCAR, I’ve been most inspired by the passion of race fans at tracks across the country,” O’Donnell said. “It has been a privilege to help bring our sport to those fans through incredible new venues and innovative engaging content that showcase the best racing in our storied history. I believe we’re the best in the world at creating bucket list events that merge sports and entertainment with tailgating, camping and the most immersive fan experience in sports. I’m honored to continue that mission and build upon the collaboration and innovation with our teams and partners to deliver the best racing to sports fans everywhere.”
Phelps’ new role will see him overseeing all of NASCAR and its related entities, including IMSA and the tracks the sanctioning body owns and operates.
Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.
At his day job, he's a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio -- you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.