Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia
Breaking news

NASCAR President Steve Phelps vows to "double down" on the sport

Expressing an air of optimism, NASCAR President Steve Phelps said Sunday he believes the sport’s “best days are ahead of it.”

Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Racing Toyota, Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsport Images

Steve Phelps, chief marketing officer for NASCAR, and emcee Danielle Trotta
Monster Energy logo
Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry Interstate Batteries, close up , logos
Joey Logano, Team Penske, Ford Fusion Shell Pennzoil
Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Ford Fusion Jimmy John's
Miami-Homestead Speedway atmosphere
Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row Racing, Toyota Camry Bass Pro Shops/5-hour ENERGY
Kyle Busch, Joe Gibbs Racing, Toyota Camry M&M's
Jimmie Johnson, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet Camaro Lowe's Rookie Throwback
Homestead-Miami Speedway atmosphere

With the recent announcement NASCAR has bid on purchasing International Speedway Corp., the recent changes in executive leadership and the unveiling of a new rules package for 2019, it would seem NASCAR itself may be in an era of transition.

During a “State of the Sport” news conference Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Phelps said while there may be structural changes ahead, the sport’s core goals won’t change.

“I can’t speak to the ISC acquisition, but what I will say is to me, if you look at the message that has been sent from Lesa Kennedy and Jim France, it’s that we’re going to double down on this sport because we believe in it,” Phelps said.

“We believe this sport is going to grow. We believe this sport is – its best days are ahead of it. I’m thrilled to be part of that. I’m thrilled to be part of their management team.

“We have a lot of opportunity, and we’re excited about where we’re going.”

Sunday’s news conference was in stark contrast to some in recent years with former NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, which at times became combative when questions he perceived as negative were asked.

Phelps didn’t have all the answers on Sunday, but he appeared as forthcoming and frank as possible and expressed an air of confidence in the future.

‘We always have work to be done, for sure. The sponsorship component of this, there are – and I’ve been accused of being pollyannaish before. I believe the state of sponsorship in this sport continues to accelerate in a positive manner,” he said.

“I went to a Penske (sponsorship) summit that I was fortunate enough to speak at, and I was speaking to Bud Denker, Tim Cindric, and they were saying, hey, we have 15 new sponsors here. That's fantastic. You talk to Joe Gibbs; hey, we’ve got a bunch of new sponsors here, sponsors that have been signed at the sanctioning body.

“We’re always seeking to have new sponsors in the sport. We have a competitive advantage over other sports, I believe, because of our great fan base. Our fans understand what it means to be a sponsor of NASCAR.”

While TV ratings have declined this season, Phelps emphasized digital and social media engagement has been “through the roof.”

He also said he was confident those who work in NASCAR – executives, teams and drivers – are focused on battling the headwinds the sport may face.

“Our drivers are the single most important ambassadors for our sport,” he said. “We don’t have 1,600 players like the NFL. Every driver is important to drive star power.”

Still, Phelps believes the sport will always be defined by its quality of racing – which NASCAR constantly seeks to address and perfect.

“The season overall, I think we’ve had a tremendous amount of story lines, as I said, and I believe that the racing product is as good as we’ve seen. I think that bodes well for the future,” he said.

“We’re facing some headwinds, or we have faced some headwinds. We’re hitting those head on. We’re working with our teams and we’re working with our tracks, our drivers, our media partners, our sponsors, so make sure that we put on the best racing product we can, to make sure this sport stays healthy for many, many years to come.

“I am truly excited about it.”

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article NASCAR Heat Champions Road to Miami Field of 12 set
Next article Hunter Mullins wins NASCAR Heat Champions Road To Miami Finals

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Australia