NASCAR commissioner steps down following Michael Jordan's antitrust suit, backlash over hateful texts

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NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps announced Tuesday he would step down from his post in the wake of two racing teams, including one owned by Michael Jordan, filing an antitrust lawsuit against the company.

The suit also unearthed inflammatory text messages he sent during contentious revenue-sharing negotiations. Jordan's 23XI Racing and NASCAR settled their suit last month.

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 were 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."

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Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Aug. 18, 2024 in Brooklyn, Michigan.  (Logan Riely/Getty Images)

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.

"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