Kenny Wallace has weighed in on Steve Phelps’ departure as NASCAR Commissioner, linking it directly to recent courtroom fallout and arguing that such a change was necessary for the sport’s future direction. This Kenny Wallace NASCAR opinion emerges as teams and fans digest both the resolved antitrust litigation and its impact on NASCAR’s leadership culture.
Leadership Turmoil Follows Antitrust Lawsuit Settlement
Steve Phelps will leave his post at the end of the month, just weeks after NASCAR settled a significant antitrust case. The agreement gave teams greater certainty with long-term charter protection through 2026, but internal tensions also surfaced as courtroom documents—texts and emails from executives—became public. These communications revealed strong language about some owners, rival series, and concerns over competition, casting a spotlight on NASCAR’s internal dynamics.
Phelps’ time as president, beginning in 2018, saw changes in media partnerships, international expansion, scheduling tweaks, and the introduction of the Next Gen car. Nonetheless, this final stage of his tenure was marked by controversy, as testimonies and released documents painted a vivid picture of strained relationships and questionable organizational culture. Kenny Wallace has repeatedly emphasized that the settlement and the exposure of behind-the-scenes conduct made a change at the very top unavoidable.
“He’s (Steve Phelps) been the president for quite a while at NASCAR and he’s been ruling the roost. Then a storm came a brewing and the lawsuit happened. Michael Jordan and Front Row Motorsports, they sued NASCAR, and all the documents came out, all the emails, all the texts. And it was Steve Phelps that called the legendary car owner Richard Childress, ‘a dumbass redneck’ that ‘needs to be taken out back and flogged’. Wow,” he said.
“No matter what you think of Steve Phelps after a statement like that, the only way NASCAR can repair themselves is what happened today… Here’s my opinion. It had to be done. It had to be done for NASCAR to move forward,” Wallace added in Coffee With Kenny. (0:27 onwards)
One particularly contentious moment was Phelps’ reference to Richard Childress in derogatory terms and his dismissive stance toward the new SRX series, which had attracted interest from both drivers and owners. Phelps later expressed regret in court for some of this language, but the atmosphere within NASCAR’s garage had already grown tense.
Wallace questioned whether the leadership team, installed by the organization’s ownership, had truly guided NASCAR in the right direction since 2018, pointing to a loss of trust that he sees as central to the recent crisis.
“You have to ask yourself, what the hell happened to NASCAR? Were they led in the wrong direction? By who? Who led them in this wrong direction? Did the NASCAR ownership put people in charge that they trust? And the people they put in charge, that they trusted, did they fail them mightily?” he said (3:02 onwards).
Internal changes have already begun: the Drivers’ Advisory Council has undergone a shakeup, but widespread executive turnover is not expected. Instead of appointing a new commissioner, NASCAR has signaled that Phelps’ responsibilities will be split among existing leaders, with Steve O’Donnell continuing as president to help maintain continuity as the organization adapts.
Wallace Optimistic About NASCAR’s Path Forward
Despite his sharp criticism of recent events, Wallace has also expressed hope that Phelps’ exit represents a positive reset for NASCAR. He points to the settlement’s introduction of evergreen charters as delivering long-sought stability for teams. These changes, he believes, lay the groundwork for improved governance and greater confidence in NASCAR’s future.
The structure of NASCAR’s playoffs is also under consideration, with the much-criticized 3-3-3-1 system potentially facing revision after sustained criticism from competitors and fans. A hybrid format that keeps the playoffs while modifying the final round has been discussed, though no confirmed reforms have yet been announced.
“There are good times ahead for NASCAR… I’m privy to a lot of information. You all and all of us are going to get so much. We’re going to get everything we wanted that everyone will have no choice but to love NASCAR again… because NASCAR is going to right the ship. Right now, NASCAR is on a quest to write a wrong,” he said in the same Coffee With Kenny episode (2:14 onwards).
Wallace signaled that further announcements are imminent, predicting that fans and teams will soon see changes that restore enthusiasm and trust throughout the industry.
“It’s officially time to heal. NASCAR doing everything you’ve asked them. There will be the big announcement coming very soon and I already know what it is and I’m proud to know it but it’s going to make you and everybody happy.” (7:40 onwards)
Along with leadership and format changes, NASCAR has announced technical updates to improve competition and safety. In 2026, cars on tracks under 1.5 miles will return to a 750-horsepower package, feature a reduced rear spoiler, and include diffuser changes aimed at giving drivers more control on track. Mandatory A-post flaps will be added to prevent cars from lifting off in spins, representing a significant upgrade to current safety standards.
As the season nears and the Clash at Bowman Gray approaches, NASCAR will be closely watched for how it manages this transition period. The sport’s leaders are under pressure to rebuild trust with both fans and teams, and many—including Kenny Wallace—see this as a necessary opportunity to set a new course while holding themselves accountable to the people they serve.
