Motorsport picture
The time period ‘commissioner’ is one thing followers of most stick-and-ball sports activities are extraordinarily aware of. The NFL has Roger Goodell, the NBA has Adam Silver, the MLB has Rob Manfred, but it surely’s a task that hasn’t actually existed in the identical type in NASCAR.
Commercial
Now, inventory automobile racing has used the title earlier than, however not within the conventional sense. It has been purely ceremonial or restricted in its precise energy. However now, it’s extremely actual with numerous energy behind it as . Phelps will immediately oversee all 15 NASCAR divisions and IMSA. Phelps has labored for NASCAR in some function for the final twenty years and has been president since 2018. The place the commissioner function is available in is what’s subsequent for the game — as one of many pillars of Phelps’ new function will likely be worldwide growth, which has been on the game’s radar from a while.
NASCAR President Steve Phelps, John Hunter Nemechek, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota
NASCAR President Steve Phelps, John Hunter Nemechek, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB ToyotaChris Graythen – Getty Photographs
Chris Graythen – Getty Photographs
Commercial
Talks are ongoing about getting the NASCAR Cup Sequence into each Brazil and Canada. And NASCAR’s first worldwide Cup race in a long time is about to happen in . Phelps will spearhead furthering these efforts as NASCAR goals to seize the curiosity of a extra world fanbase. That can seemingly embrace a purpose to broaden the worldwide presence behind the wheel as effectively, because the Cup Sequence has two worldwide drivers competing full-time for the time being with New Zealand’s Shane van Gisbergen and Mexico’s Daniel Suarez.
Phelps, who was the fifth particular person to function President of NASCAR earlier than being promoted to the newly established function of Commissioner, may also be tasked with “offering worth to all stakeholders whereas rising world fan engagement.”
What does that imply? Whereas particular initiatives weren’t revealed, Phelps’ function could put him on the forefront of Constitution dealings with the groups. The present Constitution Settlement runs by means of 2031, however with 2, there’s the chance all the system could possibly be dissolved as soon as the courtroom battle is over. Past that, we are able to count on Phelps to be on the lookout for new methods to carry worth to the game’s shareholders and supply followers a greater viewing expertise. How he plans to do this stays to be seen.
Steve Phelps, Nascar President
Steve Phelps, Nascar PresidentSean Gardner / Getty Photographs
Sean Gardner / Getty Photographs
Commercial
Then there’s Steve O’Donnell, one other identify NASCAR followers know effectively. Earlier than being named President and filling the function vacated by Phelps, he has worn many hats throughout the inventory automobile racing collection, however most lately, he labored as the game’s Chief Working Officer. Previously, O’Donnell was typically NASCAR’s voice in vital moments and controversial choices, however evidently the vp of competitors, Elton Sawyer, has taken on that burden in recent times.
O’Donnell’s duties is not going to actually change, however merely broaden as he takes on the title of president of NASCAR. Amongst his many duties will likely be overseeing the game’s investments and content material creation/distribution by means of NASCAR’s brand-new manufacturing facility. NASCAR Studios, which was established in 2022, has been creating varied exhibits and documentaries that diehard followers of the game will love, but in addition with the purpose of attracting new eyes. NASCAR Studios is an integral a part of Netflix’s NASCAR: Full Pace — a present comparable in construction to the Formulation 1’s wildly profitable Drive to Survive.
Steve O’Donnell
Steve O’DonnellJames Holland
James Holland
Commercial
O’Donnell will proceed to have main sway within the on-track product, placing collectively the annual schedule, in addition to overseeing day-to-day operations throughout the sport.
Ultimately, do not count on to see important modifications in the best way the game is run from the skin, however internally, this alteration in construction means Phelps may have quite a bit on his plate as everybody seems to NASCAR’s ‘commissioner’ transferring ahead.
Learn Additionally:
