Phelps is constantly at the racetrack, and he faces the media without the aid of a PR assistant at his sidegetty images
NASCAR President Steve Phelps was profiled by ESPN.com's Ryan McGee, who noted the France family believes Phelps "can lead their sport back from the depths it has trolled during so many recent days." Phelps said, "I have been here for 15 years now. I have been fortunate to hold a lot of big jobs and I have done so many media interviews during that time. But now, now it feels different. Now there's something extra added to my everyday. ... There's a weight to everything. Every decision. Every question. Every meeting." He added, "I want this to work. I care about it. I love it." McGee noted in the months since "being handed the keys, Phelps has been the anti-Brian France." Phelps is "constantly at the racetrack," and he "faces the media without the aid of a nervous PR assistant at his side." When discussing NASCAR's recent seasons of "declining ratings and attendance, he has used the word that was never uttered from the mouth of any France of any generation: 'mistake.'" Phelps "almost overapologizes to fans for the sport abandoning its roots and is working hard to unscramble the bad eggs those fans were served for too long." He holds "perpetual open dialogues with drivers, owners, racetracks, manufacturers and whomever else has his phone number." Phelps is "honest when he explains his reasoning and he is openly apologetic about missteps made along the way." He also "isn't afraid to take the heat that comes with being the guy who does that work" (ESPN.com, 7/24).
