NASCAR NEWS: Michael Jordan Announces departing from NASCAR and Reason Why…….
NASCAR today announced the appointment of Steve Phelps as Commissioner of NASCAR, the first to be named to this newly created role overseeing all aspects of America’s top motorsport, including the International Motorsports Association (IMSA) and all 15 NASCAR-owned or operated tracks.
Additionally, Steve O’Donnell, long-time industry leader and current Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Phelps in the critical role of NASCAR President with day-to-day leadership of all three NASCAR National Series and all NASCAR commercial, media and track operations, as well as its four international series and multiple local and grassroots properties. Both roles are effective immediately and will be based in Daytona Beach, Florida.
“We are thrilled to name Steve Phelps as NASCAR’s first Commissioner. His leadership, professionalism and well-earned respect from across the sports industry speak to his unique value for the sport,” said NASCAR Chairman & CEO Jim France.
“With more than 50 years of expertise between them, both Steve Phelps and Steve O’Donnell bring tremendous expertise, stability and a commitment to the bold racing innovations that will continue to serve fans, teams and stakeholders for many years to come.”
Currently in his 20th season in NASCAR, Phelps will lead all functions of the sport with a specific focus on strategic growth and international expansion while continuing to work directly with NASCAR owners, Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy.
Commissioner Phelps will work across the NASCAR ecosystem to provide value to all stakeholders while increasing global fan engagement. Phelps joined NASCAR in 2005 and has served as the fifth president in the sport’s 77-year history since taking the position in 2018.
“I’m honored to take this next step in helping to guide NASCAR, the sport I’ve loved since my father took me to my first race at 5 years old, continue to grow and welcome new fans, competitors and partners that together create some of the most extraordinary moments in sports,” Phelps said.
“I cannot thank the France family enough for their unwavering commitment to our fans, their steady leadership, and most importantly, their stewardship of stock-car racing since its inception nearly eight decades ago.
This sport is truly one of the great American business stories and I’m privileged to continue as part of that legacy – and especially its bright future.”
As only NASCAR’s sixth President, Steve O’Donnell will take over everyday management of the sport with a focus on continuing to deliver historically exciting racing, exceptional partnership value and a world-class fan experience at every NASCAR national series event throughout the season. Leveraging more than three decades of experience at NASCAR where he has held many roles throughout the company from Marketing to Competition, O’Donnell’s scope will be expanded to include all operations, competition and commercial business for the sanctioning body.
“In my 30 years in NASCAR, I’ve been most inspired by the passion of race fans at tracks across the country. It has been a privilege to help bring our sport to those fans through incredible new venues and innovative engaging content that showcase the best racing in our storied history,” said O’Donnell.
“I believe we’re the best in the world at creating ‘Bucket List’ events that merge sports and entertainment with tailgating, camping and the most immersive fan experience in sports.
I’m honored to continue that mission and build upon the collaboration and innovation with our teams and partners to deliver the best racing to sports fans everywhere.”
With his increased leadership responsibilities, O’Donnell will drive continued innovation and engagement for NASCAR’s key stakeholders, fans and employees, creating a center of excellence for ongoing growth and mutual success across the sport and its increasingly global audience.
He will also oversee the sport’s major investments in content creation and distribution through the new NASCAR Production Facility in North Carolina and the Emmy-Award winning NASCAR Studios team with its upcoming slate of scripted and unscripted content aimed at bringing fans even closer to the stars and stories of NASCAR.
If you go there today, there are weeds growing on the very track where cars once went over 200 mph. And there’s little chance of revival.
First it was NASCAR journalist Jordan Bianchi who expressed a heart-breaking hurdle
“I will say this, from the conversations I’ve had with people in the very high levels of NASCAR; they want to be in southern California, they want the Fontana project to happen.
Like, they want that to come to fruition. But it is so expensive.
Not only do you–normal operating costs to build a race track, it’s expensive, right? But in California alone, it’s more expensive…unreasonably high.
To such a degree that it handcuffs you. So, you almost have to overspend to do what you want to do, and it comes down to money. [NASCAR wants] that.
The paint scheme on Hamlin’s No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing is a replica of the iconic 2006-7 Office Depot design that Edwards ran during his time at Roush Fenway Racing.
It is a fitting driver to honor, too. Edwards earned 28 NASCAR Cup Series wins during his Cup Series career and was inducted into NASCAR’s Hall of Fame earlier this year after retiring from the sport eight years ago.
Hamlin’s No. 11 paint scheme enters this weekend’s field with some tough competition when it comes to the design of the cars, with Josh Berry paying homage to not just NASCAR but motorsport history with his design.
Berry’s No. 21 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Wood Brothers Racing is a tribute to F1 and racing legend Jim Clark, who was a two-time F1 world champion and the 1965 Indy 500 winner.
The Wood Brothers worked with Lotus and Ford at the 1965 Indianapolis 500, and Berry’s car will adopt the racing green and yellow stripe that defined Lotus’ race car in the 1960s.
Elsewhere, Alex Bowman’s Hendrick Motorsports car will be transformed into the black livery of Jimmie Johnson’s 2012 Southern 500 winner, and reigning champion Joey Logano will sport the yellow and red colors used by Cale Yarborough in 1976 to give his challenger a vintage NASCAR look.
Gray took the lead as he went into the final turn but had Justin Allgaier on his bumper. It looked like the race was going to come down to Gray, Smith and Allgaier, but in the final turn the driving got more aggressive.
Smith slammed into the back of Gray in the final turn and moved him up the track and out of first place. Jones then got into the back of Gray and Allgaier tried to move up the track into first.
But their cars slid up the track as well and it was Hill who snuck to the inside with a little push from Sheldon Creed to pick up the win.
A massive wreck occurred as the cars crossed the start-finish line.
