NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps on Tuesday announced his resignation after more than 20 years with the top racing series in the United States.

(AP) — NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps on Tuesday announced his resignation after more than 20 years with the top racing series in the United States and a nasty federal trial in which inflammatory texts he sent during contentious revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed.

Phelps will leave the company at the end of the month, ahead of the start of the season. He was named NASCAR’s first commissioner last season after a courting process for the same role by the PGA golf tour. The opportunity with the PGA was revealed during December testimony of the antitrust trial brought by two race teams against NASCAR.

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 was 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.”

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.

NASCAR settled the lawsuit with 23XI Racing, owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, the day after Morris’ letter.

“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 as media partners, auto manufacturers, track operators, and incredible racing talent.”

He added he will seek “new pursuits in sports and other industries” and thanked colleagues, friends and fans that “played such an important and motivational role in my career.”

He also thanked the France family, the founders and owners of NASCAR, who hired him away from the NFL two decades ago and promoted him to a position that could have netted him $5 million annually with bonuses.

“Words cannot fully convey the deep appreciation I have for this life-changing experience, for the trust of the France family, and for having a place in NASCAR’s amazing history,” Phelps concluded.

NASCAR said that Phelps’ leadership transformed a stale schedule with new events, “bucket list fan experiences,” and reshaped its strategic vision. Phelps was also lauded for expanding NASCAR’s international footprint, securing long-term media rights and charter agreements, and building a leadership team that is focused on building the future of stock car racing with fan experience at its core.

“Steve will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s most impactful leaders,” said Jim France, the NASCAR Chairman and CEO. “For decades he has worked tirelessly to thrill fans, support teams and execute a vision for the sport that has treated us all to some of the greatest moments in our nearly 80-year history.”

Phelps also led NASCAR as it became the first sport to return to competition during the COVID-19 shutdown, as well as developed races inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the downtown streets of Chicago.

“Steve leaves NASCAR with a transformative legacy of innovation and collaboration with an unrelenting growth mindset,” France added.

Lesa France Kennedy, the NASCAR executive vice chair, said “while his career may take him elsewhere, he’ll always have a place in our NASCAR family.”

NASCAR did not announce any additional leadership or personnel changes and said there are no immediate plans to replace him as commissioner or to seek outside leadership. His responsibilities will be delegated internally through NASCAR’s president — now Steve O’Donnell — and the executive leadership team.

O’Donnell moved into Phelps’ role as president upon Phelps’ promotion to commissioner. Although the two were mostly in favor of improving revenue-sharing for the teams in over two-plus years of communications, the discovery process showed their growing frustration with NASCAR’s board of directors over its refusal to make the charters permanent.

Phelps appeared to be an advocate for more concessions for the race teams, but as the process dragged on, he ultimately fell in line with the France family and that’s when his communications became more pointed. It was the attacks on Childress that drew the most attention and Phelps said in court last month he regretted his words, had apologized to Childress and explained he was venting out of frustration.

It wasn’t good enough for Morris, a longtime backer of Childress teams.

“We can’t help but wonder what would happen if Major League Baseball brought in a new commissioner and he or she trash-talked one of the true legends who built the game like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth?” Morris wrote. “Such blatant disrespect would probably not sit well with the fans — such a commissioner most likely wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, keep his or her job for very long!”

Chumba Casino will have an increased presence on 23XI Racing’s NASCAR Cup Series cars in 2026, the team announced Jan. 6.

The company will be on Bubba Wallace‘s No. 23 and Tyler Reddick‘s No. 45 in multiple races this season, starting with Reddick at the season-opening Daytona 500 and in the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Wallace’s races with Chumba includes the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Steve Phelps Leaving NASCAR

The release did not specify the other races for Chumba on the Nos. 23 and 45.

In 2025, Reddick scored seven top fives and 14 top 10s, while Wallace earned one win, six top fives and 14 top 10s, both finishing within the top 11 in points. Wallace’s lone win, which came at Indianapolis, featured Chumba as the primary sponsor.

Executive Editor at Frontstretch

Kevin Rutherford is the executive editor of Frontstretch, a position he gained in 2025 after being the managing editor since 2015, and serving on the editing staff since 2013.

At his day job, he’s a journalist covering music and rock charts at Billboard. He lives in New York City, but his heart is in Ohio — you know, like that Hawthorne Heights song.

Türkiye will once again open the global snowcross season, with Rize’s Handüzü Plateau confirmed as the opening round of the 2026 FIM Snowcross World Championship on Jan. 31-Feb. 1, a move that underlines the country’s growing influence in winter motorsports and four-season sports tourism.

The announcement was made at a high-profile promotional meeting in Istanbul on Tuesday, organized by the Turkish Motorcycle Federation (TMF).

The event brought together senior officials including Rize Deputy Governor Abdullah Kurt, Güneysu Mayor Rıfat Özer, TMF President Mehmet Sadık Vefa and representatives from the Youth and Sports.

The gathering opened with promotional films spotlighting Rize’s snow-covered plateaus, lush highlands and sweeping Black Sea views, setting the tone for a championship that blends elite sport with destination marketing.

Vefa said hosting the world championship in Rize was both a source of pride and a strategic step.

He thanked Youth and Sports Minister Osman Aşkın Bak and the Rize Governorship for their support, stressing that the event would make a tangible contribution to Türkiye’s sports tourism goals.

Vefa noted that bringing another FIM world championship to Türkiye reflects growing international trust in the country’s organizational standards.

Mayor Özer described the race as a milestone for Güneysu, saying the championship would showcase the district’s highland plateaus to a global audience and create new momentum for winter tourism in the region. Deputy Governor Kurt echoed that view, pointing to recent investments in winter sports infrastructure and Rize’s rapid rise as a host for major sporting events. He said the province is steadily positioning itself as a recognized sports destination, not only in summer but throughout the year.

Speaking on behalf of the Youth and Sports Ministry, Director General for International Organizations and Foreign Relations Ahmet Temurci framed the event in broader terms. “This is not just the announcement of a race,” he said. “It is a step that will elevate Türkiye’s sports tourism and sports diplomacy.”

Temurci highlighted that while global tourism grows by around 4-5% annually, sports tourism is expanding at nearly double that rate.

Türkiye’s ability to experience all four seasons simultaneously, he added, gives it a rare competitive advantage.

He pointed to the contrast of skiing on Mount Ağrı and swimming in Kaş within a short flight as a symbol of that potential.

The FIM Snowcross World Championship is one of winter motorsport’s most demanding series.

Riders compete on snow- and ice-covered circuits using specialized motorcycles fitted with long, studded tires, battling tight corners, fast straights and heavy jumps in short, high-intensity heats.

The championship features both the men’s SNX and women’s WSNX categories, with Nordic riders from countries such as Finland, Sweden and Norway traditionally dominating the standings.

Türkiye has become a regular and increasingly important stop on the snowcross calendar.

After successful rounds in Kayseri’s Erciyes Ski Center and strong international feedback in recent seasons, the FIM has entrusted Türkiye with the season opener for a third straight year.

The 2026 campaign will begin with a rare double-header in Türkiye.

Following the Rize opener, the championship moves to Erzincan on Feb. 3-4, before heading to Fällfors, Sweden, on Feb. 28-March 1.

The season will conclude in Trondheim, Norway, on April 10-11. Around 30 riders from 12 countries are expected to compete in Rize across the men’s and women’s classes.

Perched high above the Black Sea, the Handüzü Plateau offers thick natural snow, cold winter temperatures and panoramic coastal views, a combination organizers describe as “sea-view snow racing.”

Recent investments in ski pistes and facilities have strengthened Handüzü’s credentials as an emerging winter sports hub, complementing Türkiye’s established resorts and helping spread tourism beyond traditional centers.

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NASCAR fans have spotted a missing sponsor from Shane van Gisbergen’s No.97 team. Trackhouse Racing recently updated its website ahead of the 2026 season, and SVG’s major sponsor, Weather Tech, appears to be absent from the revised lineup.

Van Gisbergen made his full-time Cup Series debut last year. He claimed the Rookie of the Year honours after blitzing through the field with five road course wins. The New Zealander is a RedBull athlete who bore the WeatherTech logo throughout his rookie season.

However, the American car accessories company was nowhere to be found on Trackhouse’s website, as noted by a fan account on X:

“I don’t know if I missed something but I checked the Trackhouse website to see their partners and I noticed WeatherTech isn’t on the list… is WeatherTech not SVG’s sponsor anymore!?!?”

Shane van Gisbergen’s updated sponsor list includes Chevrolet, Busch Light, Choice Privileges, Jockey, Kubota, Moose, Quad Lock, Red Bull, Safety Culture, Siemens, Tootsies and Wendy’s.

Weather Tech was also a major sponsor for Connor Zilisch, SVG’s new Trackhouse Racing teammate. The two drivers had multiple head-to-head showdowns in the 2025 Xfinity Series season, proving their road course mettle at Watkins Glen, Sonoma and the Chicago Street Race.

SVG won at Chicago, while Zilisch nabbed a win at Sonoma, but Watkins Glen resulted in a contentious finish. With 18 laps to go, the JR Motorsports drivers were battling for the lead when Zilisch went wide at Turn 6. He clipped SVG’s rear upon re-entry and caused the No.9 Chevy to slide into the barriers.

Although Zilisch won the race, he ended up being the one transported to the medical center, as he slipped during victory lane celebrations and broke his collarbone.

Shane van Gisbergen reflects on ‘difficult’ rookie season

Shane van Gisbergen was recently featured in an interview with Speedcafe, where the Kiwi driver shared an honest assessment of his 2025 Cup Series season. Apart from his road course mastery, van Gisbergen largely faltered on ovals.

He consistently qualified outside the top-30 and had a tough time making up for it. The 36-year-old scored just two top-10s outside of his race wins, with one of them coming from a sixth-place finish at COTA, yet another road course. His best qualifying came from an 11th-place start at Indianapolis, where he ended up finishing 19th.

When asked about his rookie season in NASCAR’s top division, SVG said,

“It was very very difficult at the start especially. Combinations of things mainly rookie driver, I found the cars very different to the Xfinity series. I found that it almost would have been better just to go straight in, like everything I learned in Xfinity didn’t really make sense in the cup car the way it handles and just the way the dynamics of the car is. So yeah, I struggled a lot as a driver to start with and then combination of a new team really .”

“It took a while for us all to gel and for the car speed to get better. From mid-year onwards, we won Mexico, and then Ross won the Coke 600 as well, and then from there it just snowballed for the team,” he added.

Shane van Gisbergen’s regular-season wins earned him a spot in the playoffs, but he couldn’t make it past the round of 16. Meanwhile, his Trackhouse Racing teammate, Ross Chastain, entered the playoffs with just one win to his name, but managed to make it to the Round of 12.

CONCORD, N.C. – Talk about wanting to pick up right where you left off … 

For Kyle Larson, the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet team and Hendrick Motorsports in general, that would be an accurate statement entering the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season. Larson enters the year as the defending champion after capping off his second career title at Phoenix Raceway in November. 

The organization wouldn’t mind a start like the one that came in 2025 either. Chase Elliott won last year’s preseason Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium and the exhibition event will again kick off the premier series slate on Sunday, Feb. 1. William Byron followed that up with a second-straight win in the DAYTONA 500 and this year’s Great American Race is set for a 2:30 p.m. start on Feb. 15. 

Like any season, the 2026 campaign comes with its own set of changes. The Cup Series will return to Chicagoland Speedway for the first time since 2019. Alex Bowman won the most recent race at the 1.5-mile, D-shaped oval. 

RELATED: Hendrick Motorsports photographers pick best photos of 2025!

Another return sees the Cup Series head to North Wilkesboro for a points-paying event for the first time since 1996. Jeff Gordon won the last such event at the track with Terry Labonte also picking up a victory that season en route to his second career championship. 

Over July 4th weekend, all three NASCAR series will run at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego with the Cup Series event set for Sunday, July 5. And it all concludes with the championship race, which will return to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the first time since 2019. 

Again, TV assignments for the 2026 schedule will be split up among Fox, FS1, Prime, TNT, NBC and USA Network. 

Here’s a look the full schedule with start times and channels for every race: 

RELATED: Rarely seen “Days of Thunder” shoot photos featuring Tom Cruise, Rick Hendrick

Where is the NASCAR race this weekend?

(TV network in parentheses) 

• Sunday, Feb. 1: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, 8 p.m. (FOX)
• Thursday, Feb. 12: The Duel at Daytona, 7 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, Feb. 15: DAYTONA 500, 2:30 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, Feb. 22: Atlanta Motor Speedway, 3 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, March 1: Circuit of the Americas, 3:30 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, March 8: Phoenix Raceway, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, March 15: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 4 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, March 22: Darlington Raceway, 3 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, March 29: Martinsville Speedway, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, April 12: Bristol Motor Speedway, 3 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, April 19: Kansas Speedway, 2 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, April 26: Talladega Superspeedway, 3 p.m. (FOX)
• Sunday, May 3: Texas Motor Speedway, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, May 10: Watkins Glen International, 3 p.m. (FS1)

RELATED: Panini issues 1 of 1 Jeff Gordon trading card

• Sunday, May 17: All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway, 3 p.m. (FS1)
• Sunday, May 24: Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 6 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, May 31: Nashville Superspeedway, 7 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, June 7: Michigan International Speedway, 3 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, June 14: Pocono Raceway, 3 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, June 21: Naval Base Coronado, 4 p.m. (Prime)
• Sunday, June 28: Sonoma Raceway, 3:30 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, July 5: Chicagoland Speedway, 6 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, July 12: Atlanta Motor Speedway, 7 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, July 19: North Wilkesboro Speedway, 7 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, July 26: Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 2 p.m. (TNT)
• Sunday, Aug. 9: Iowa Speedway, 3:30 p.m. (USA Network)
• Saturday, Aug. 15: Richmond Raceway, 7 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Aug. 23: New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Saturday, Aug. 29: Daytona International Speedway, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)

PLAYOFFS

• Sunday, Sept. 6: Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, 5 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Sept. 13: World Wide Technology Raceway, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Saturday, Sept. 19: Bristol Motor Speedway, 7:30 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Sept. 27: Kansas Speedway, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 4: Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 5:30 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 11: Charlotte ROVAL, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 18: Phoenix Raceway, 3 p.m. (USA Network)
• Sunday, Oct. 25: Talladega Superspeedway, 2 p.m. (NBC)
• Sunday, Nov. 1: Martinsville Speedway, 2 p.m. (NBC)
• Sunday, Nov. 8: Homestead-Miami Speedway, 3 p.m. (NBC)

Getty

Carson Hocevar will take on a new NASCAR series.

Zeigler Automotive Group has renewed its NASCAR Cup Series sponsorship with driver Carson Hocevar and Spire Motorsports for the 2026 season. The agreement covers 11 races and places Zeigler.com and Zeigler Auto Group as the primary sponsors on the No. 77 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

The company announced the renewal on Monday, extending a partnership that connects a Michigan-based automotive group with a Michigan native driver. Hocevar, the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year, continues his full-time Cup career with Spire Motorsports as the team builds on recent progress.

The sponsorship begins with NASCAR’s season-opening exhibition event and includes several major tracks on the 2026 schedule, according to reports from both regional and national media outlets.

Zeigler Automotive confirms renewed NASCAR deal

Zeigler Automotive Group confirmed the sponsorship renewal in a report published by News Channel 3 (WWMT). The company said it will serve as the primary sponsor for 11 NASCAR Cup Series races during the 2026 season.

Aaron J. Zeigler, president and CEO of Zeigler Auto Group and Zeigler Racing, stated that the partnership reflects the shared values between the company and the driver.

“Sponsoring Carson Hocevar for the 2026 season is about more than putting our name on the No. 77 — it’s about supporting someone who represents the future of this sport and the way we do business, Zeigler said. Carson brings intensity, authenticity, and a relentless drive to improve every time he takes the track.”

Zeigler Automotive Group operates more than 30 dealerships across Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The company continues to use motorsports partnerships as part of its long-term marketing strategy.

Carson Hocevar builds on strong Cup Series results

Hocevar enters the 2026 season after two productive years in the NASCAR Cup Series. According to News Channel 3, the 22-year-old recorded two top-five finishes and nine top-10 results during the 2025 season. His best finishes included second-place runs at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway.

Hocevar also earned his first career Cup Series pole position at Texas Motor Speedway. The Portage, Michigan native previously claimed the 2024 Sunoco Rookie of the Year award after finishing his rookie season with one top-five, six top-10s, and 13 top-15 results.

“I’m excited to continue our partnership with Zeigler Automotive Group, Hocevar said. I grew up right down the street from their headquarters in Kalamazoo, so it is cool to see how it has all come full circle.”

He added that the support from Zeigler and the No. 77 team has remained consistent since the partnership began.

2026 race schedule for Zeigler-sponsored events

The Zeigler-sponsored schedule begins with the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1. The non-points exhibition race opens NASCAR’s season and will air live on FOX.

Zeigler branding will also appear on the No. 77 Chevrolet at Michigan International Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Chicagoland Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Richmond Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, and Martinsville Speedway.

A separate report by Daily Express US, written by Rory Robinson, confirmed Zeigler Automotive Group will again serve as the primary sponsor for 11 races. The outlet also reported that the family-owned dealership network generates more than $2 billion in annual revenue and will remain aligned with Hocevar and Spire Motorsports in 2026.

The NASCAR Cup Series regular season opens at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, marking the start of another full season for Hocevar with Zeigler Automotive Group as a key partner.

Dogli Wilberforce is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce