NASCAR says it has named president Steve Phelps as its first ever ‘commissioner’ but that also isn’t historically accurate.
There have been numerous officials and dignitaries awarded that title from Cannonball Baker, Harley J. Earl, Mendel Rivers, Tom Adams, Semon Knudsen, Charles Stang and John Middlebrook.
For what it’s worth, many of these men served in an honorary capacity as opposed to one formally wielding any authority, something that has changed with the ascension of Phelps to that role.
“How we are governed is different from stick-and-ball sports,” Phelps said on the officially produce NASCAR podcast ‘Hauler Talk.’ “[NFL Commissioner] Roger Goodell has 32 owners that essentially are his owners and entrust him to run the sport. It’s a closed system. Ours is different. There are lots of stakeholders that are part of it. …
“When you have 77 years of history and you don’t have a commissioner, I appreciate them understanding the change.”
The role was reimagined by chief operating officer Steve O’Donnell, who will now take over as president, with the idea that Phelps can oversee growth opportunities with the former overseeing more ground-level responsibilities.
The concept was taken to CEO Jim France who then approved the restructuring.
“It’s a time that our sport has experienced growth,” Phelps said. “There was a time when we had some significant declines. But it’s a time since 2019 that looks different and feels different, and if you’re in this sport, it feels good right now. The competition is amazing. The ratings are strong. We’ve got new media partners. Charter values are soaring. We’ve got wind at our back. Okay, now what? That’s really what it was. Whether it’s international growth or just the opportunities afforded to us with my elevation.”
Phelps said his job will now focus on making NASCAR operate more like a traditional stick-and-ball sport league.
“The most important thing for us is the continued rush toward collaboration with our industry,” Phelps said, “and whether you’re talking about racetracks that we don’t own or you’re talking about teams or you’re talking about drivers, it is important that we come together as one. And we are at a competitive disadvantage because we don’t own ourselves as an entity. We are not a league.
“But in my opinion, the more we act like a league, the better it’ll be for all stakeholders. Not just NASCAR the company, but NASCAR the sport because we are stronger together than we are apart. So, to me, that is the No. 1 thing in my job that is the most critical.”
Phelps says his role will now be about bringing all those industry stakeholders together, even amidst a lawsuit and countersuit between the league and two teams slated for a December 1 trial.
“There are macroeconomic things that are outside of our control; you can’t worry about those,” he said. “So, we’ll adapt to whatever it is — whether it’s a recession or a pandemic or whatever that’s going to be. We’ve done it before (and) we’ll do it again. But to me, it’s like what things can you control through relationships that you have, through cajoling, or whatever it might be that brings people together and show them in the short term, maybe this isn’t in your best interest or our best interest as a company but long term, it is what’s going to be in the best interest of everyone.
“We have a moment in time with new media partners (signed), with the bulk of the charters (being) extended — it is time to come together.”
Phelps also says his role will oversee the company as a whole, even IMSA, but form that takes is to be decided.
“The governing part of that and my role is really of governing our company, so NASCAR,” Phelps said. “The broader role, really, is making sure that the rest of our stakeholder group understands the direction that we’re taking the sport and then how they participate as part of that.
“So, it’s a different role, and I guess the question is why? Why now? Why this role? I think it provides some different opportunities for us that will elevate the sport. Is it a nice thing for me personally? Of course. I’m humbled and honored to be the first of its kind.”
