In the wake of leaked text messages that emerged during the recent antitrust trial, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps resigned from his position. The offensive nature of these messages caused a significant reputational blow to NASCAR, unsettling fans, team owners, and key sponsors like Bass Pro Shops. This upheaval prompted NASCAR to rush into damage-control efforts to stabilize its leadership and public image.
NASCAR’s Efforts to Rebuild Trust and Stability
To address the crisis, NASCAR simultaneously worked to resolve the antitrust lawsuit, integrate fan input to revamp competition formats, recommit to higher horsepower in racing, and ultimately accepted Phelps’ departure. Despite Phelps’ exit, many industry insiders recognize his effective role as a mediator among various stakeholders, leaving a notable leadership void at the top of the organization.
Kyle Busch Weighs in on Leadership Vacuum
When asked about the leadership gap NASCAR faces, Kyle Busch offered his perspective by underscoring leadership competence rather than controversy. Busch acknowledged,
I mean, I don’t know the ins and outs of all of what Phelps did,
suggesting his limited knowledge of the full scope of Phelps’ work.
Expanding on Phelps’ role, Busch explained,
But just through some of the rumblings: His ability to be able to talk amongst all of the key partners, right the OEMs and the league personnel below him, then of course the teams and owners, things like that, TV people radio handling businesses getting media rights things that he did,
highlighting the wide range of responsibilities Phelps managed.
Busch emphasized that Phelps’ key strength was his skillful management of communications and alignment within NASCAR’s complex ecosystem. He noted, He was very charismatic, adding that finding a replacement with similar abilities will be difficult.
Busch’s Recommendation for NASCAR’s Next Leader
Regarding who should step into this critical role, Busch suggested a trusted figure from NASCAR’s past. He stated plainly,
I’d put [Mike] Helton back in if it were me.
Helton, who served as NASCAR President from 2000 to 2015, currently holds the position of Vice Chairman, bringing considerable experience to the table.
Interim Leadership and Industry Reactions
At present, Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s current president, is overseeing the responsibilities left by Phelps. Busch expressed confidence in O’Donnell handling this interim phase without issue but acknowledged the magnitude of the position. He noted the challenge in filling such significant shoes and indicated that whether O’Donnell will be the permanent solution remains undecided.
Although the controversy surrounding Phelps affected Busch professionally—since some messages insulted Richard Childress, his team owner—Busch refrained from personal criticism, choosing instead to focus on the bigger picture.
The broader NASCAR community holds divided opinions on Phelps’ departure. Certain voices, such as former driver Kenny Wallace, supported the exit due to both the text controversy and the ongoing charter-related legal disputes.
Conversely, Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports’ vice chairman, recognized Phelps’ practical leadership approach and his critical role as a liaison among teams, manufacturers, broadcasters, and league executives. Many within the paddock believed Phelps had genuine intentions to improve the sport and was instrumental in advocating for teams amidst difficult charter negotiations.
Implications for NASCAR’s Future Direction
The resignation of Steve Phelps creates a pivotal moment for NASCAR as it seeks to restore stakeholder confidence and maintain organizational cohesion. Kyle Busch’s endorsement of Mike Helton indicates a preference for proven leadership during this turbulent period. How NASCAR navigates its leadership selection will likely shape the sport’s strategy and fan engagement moving forward, as it balances tradition with necessary reforms.
.@KyleBusch gave his thoughts on NASCAR’s new/old format, testing at @NWBSpeedway, and his friendship with Greg Biffle.
“Any crashes will kill your championship run”#NASCAR pic.twitter.com/HGlnHnAQOh
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) January 13, 2026
