NASCAR President Talks Sport's Handling Of Tumultuous Year

NASCAR President Steve Phelps said that he was "proud of the sport for defying stereotypes this season when it comes to internal conflict," according to Alex Andrejev of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Phelps, who was recently named to the NASCAR BOD, "has led the sport through a pandemic, a flag ban and countless weather delays this season, in addition to the typical challenges of guiding the direction of a professional sport in 'normal times.'" NASCAR is "continuing to finalize a plan for racing next year, and did not set forth a date for when that announcement is coming." The sport is "considering implementing some of the format changes and new venues it tried this year." Phelps also mentioned that the addition of midweek races in the future was "'viable' but on the 'lower end of probability' based on television ratings." There will be "no changes to the rules around protocols or points for a driver who tests positive for COVID-19." The protocols around access for non-essential racing personnel "will also remain in place through the playoffs." He said that NASCAR "has been working with teams over the last four or five years to improve the business model." Phelps also suggested that the number of new owners "trying to get into this sport 'has never been higher' and that he's seen 'a lot of enthusiasm' for future team ownership under the current business model" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/2).