Nascar has appointed Steve Phelps as its first-ever commissioner, with Steve O’Donnell replacing him as president.
Confirmed:
- Phelps will oversee all aspects of Nascar, including the International Motorsports Association (IMSA) and all 15 Nascar-owned or operated tracks
- O’Donnell to assume day-to-day control of the three Nascar series and all commercial, media, and track operations
Context:
This is an unprecedented move from Nascar as it creates the role of commissioner to move itself in line with the stick-and-ball leagues in the US. Phelps will have similar control to that enjoyed by the likes of Adam Silver at the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Football League’s (NFL) Roger Goodell. This will be a much more big-picture role for Phelps, who served as Nascar president since 2018.
O’Donnell’s ascension to president is the culmination of a 29-year career with Nascar that began as a marketing services representative in 1996. Nascar has been preparing for this move since last year, where a management shakeup saw a raft of executives begin to report into O’Donnell instead of Phelps.
Comment:
“We are thrilled to name Steve Phelps as Nascar’s first commissioner,” said Nascar chairman and chief executive Jim France. “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.”
Phelps added: “I’m honoured 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 five years old, continue to grow and welcome new fans, competitors and partners that together create some of the most extraordinary moments in sports.
“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.”
Coming next:
This leadership shakeup comes amid Nascar’s ongoing lawsuit with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. The stock car racing series will hope these appointments can provide direction and a more robust management structure amid the protracted legal proceedings.
O’Donnell, who becomes Nascar’s sixth president, will have a particular focus on driving fan engagement through the sport’s major investments in content creation and distribution through the series’ new production facility in North Carolina.
Go deeper:
- Nascar’s US$7.7bn TV deal: Why the annual value went up, who gets what, and the impact on fans
- What’s going on with Nascar’s charter system?
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