Kyle Busch has openly suggested Mike Helton as his preferred choice to succeed Steve Phelps following Phelps’ resignation as NASCAR commissioner this week. Speaking to media at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the two-time Cup Series champion addressed the uncertainty of NASCAR’s leadership and highlighted attributes he believes are crucial, weaving in his focus keyword: Kyle Busch NASCAR commissioner replacement.
Kyle Busch Advocates for Mike Helton to Lead NASCAR
With Steve Phelps stepping down on Tuesday, NASCAR announced there are no immediate plans for a replacement. However, Kyle Busch, one of the sport’s most decorated drivers, quickly voiced his support for Mike Helton.
Busch recalled Mike Helton’s experience, having served as NASCAR president from 2000 to 2015 and currently holding the role of vice chairman. Helton’s tenure is marked by guiding NASCAR through its most significant growth era and being the first non-member of the France family to lead the sport.
“I don’t know the ins and outs of all of what Phelps did but just through some of the rumblings, his ability of being able to talk amongst all of the key partners — the OEMs, the league personnel below him and of course the teams, owners and things like that, TV people, radio people — handling all the businesses and getting all media rights things the way that he did, he was very charismatic. So, who does that now is probably a tough spot, but we’ll see what happens with that,”
Busch said, via Peter Stratta of TSJSports.
“I’d put Helton back in if it were me.”
At 72, Helton remains an active figure in the sport, bringing decades of experience in managing NASCAR’s various commercial and operational challenges. His leadership is regarded as central to NASCAR’s rise in the early 2000s, and his name is once again circulating as a possible stabilizing force in a turbulent period.
Possible Contenders and Ongoing Uncertainty
While Busch is clear about his personal preference, NASCAR has not given any action timeline to fill the commissioner role. Steve O’Donnell, who took over as president when Phelps assumed the commissioner title last year, is considered by many within the industry to be a leading candidate for commissioner should the search proceed.
Busch acknowledged O’Donnell’s reputation and connection to a previous era, noting,
“Everybody always said he was the new Helton,”
before continuing,
“I don’t mind Steve. I like O’Donnell… but there’s shoes to fill and whether he’s that guy, more power to it.”
This ambiguity reflects wider questions about the future of NASCAR leadership as stakeholders and fans alike look for signs of stability amid recent upheavals.
Steve Phelps’ Departure and the Issues Leading Up to It
Phelps’ resignation arrives just one month after NASCAR confronted antitrust legal action from Cup Series teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. These teams accused NASCAR and CEO Jim France of running a monopoly, with trial proceedings bringing Phelps’ handling of internal criticism and communications under scrutiny.
Text conversations exposed during discovery painted Phelps as having a combative relationship with some team owners, notably Richard Childress. After publicly criticizing NASCAR’s Next Gen car and media rights deal negotiations, Childress found himself disparaged by Phelps in a message, calling him a
“stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.”
In court, Phelps expressed remorse and testified that he had offered an apology to Childress before these remarks came to light.
Bass Pro Shops CEO Johnny Morris was among those urging for Phelps’ immediate exit from leadership, a significant stance given the company’s sponsorship importance to the league. Amid these developments, the Cup teams ultimately reached a settlement after eight days in court.
Phelps’ Tenure and Impact on NASCAR
Steve Phelps’ nearly two-decade journey with NASCAR began in 2005 in corporate marketing, ascending to chief operating officer and eventually becoming NASCAR president in 2018. In the spring of 2025, he became the first person to hold the league’s newly created commissioner position. Phelps oversaw major milestones, including guiding NASCAR’s return to racing during the COVID-19 pandemic and finalizing a lucrative $7.7 billion media rights deal covering 2025-2031.
Despite the turbulence at the end of his tenure, Phelps’ administration was marked by resilience during the pandemic as well as rapid adaptations to evolving media landscapes. For many, these achievements serve as bookends to a period now defined just as much by its challenges as successes.
What Awaits NASCAR’s Future Leadership?
As the question of who will steer NASCAR next lingers, figures like Mike Helton and Steve O’Donnell stand at the center of speculation. Kyle Busch’s public endorsement for Helton, coupled with his nuanced acknowledgment of O’Donnell’s potential, underscores a hunger within the NASCAR community for steady, experienced leadership. The selection of NASCAR’s commissioner will shape not only the league’s business strategies and competition but also its ability to respond to both internal and external pressures in an increasingly competitive sports marketplace.
The coming months will likely prove pivotal, as team owners, sponsors, and fans await signs of direction, clarity, and cohesion from the sport’s governing body.
.@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
