NASCAR is promoting STEVE PHELPS to COO, cementing his oversight of all commercial and media operations for the sanctioning body and as one of the sport's most-powerful execs. Phelps has seen his title slightly altered multiple times over recent years -- first from Exec VP & CMO to Exec VP and Chief Global Sales & Marketing Officer, then to his current title -- Exec VP and Chief Marketing, Media & Sales Officer -- but will now assume the more prominent title previously held by NASCAR President BRENT DEWAR before Dewar was promoted last July. Phelps, who joined NASCAR in '05 after stints with the NFL and Wasserman, will now be based out of Daytona Beach after previously being based in Charlotte. Phelps has helped spearhead several of NASCAR's most important marketing deals and initiatives, but appears to be broadening his influence to overseeing all aspects of the sport's business matters alongside Dewar and Chair & CEO BRIAN FRANCE.
MOVE DETAILS: Phelps' direct reports will be Exec VP and Chief Sales & Partnership Officer DARYL WOLFE (Daytona Beach); Senior VP & CMO JILL GREGORY (Charlotte); Senior VP/Broadcasting & Production STEVE HERBST (N.Y.); Senior VP & Chief Communications Officer ERIC NYQUIST (Daytona Beach); and VP/Digital TIM CLARK (Charlotte). Dewar in a statement said, "Steve has worked passionately over the years to lead the sport and it's clear his impact is felt in all corners of the industry." The promotion is the latest in a host of exec changes at NASCAR and ISC in recent months, including giving several execs from either of the companies new roles at the other organization. NASCAR is privately owned by the France family, while ISC is publicly traded, but tightly controlled by the France family.
