NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has clarified the sport’s stance on private equity involvement, affirming that while capital investment at the team level is welcomed and growing, the France family has no plans to sell or dilute its ownership of the NASCAR sanctioning body.
Speaking to recent market interest, Phelps highlighted that private equity firms are increasingly drawn to NASCAR due to its stabilized media rights landscape and enhanced team economics. He cited the recent charter extensions and revamped media deals as catalysts, noting that all incremental revenue from these deals is flowing directly to race teams—along with additional contributions from NASCAR and track owners.
Private equity groups are playing a valuable role in transforming NASCAR teams, Phelps said, by injecting capital and operational expertise. Many of these firms already invest in major league sports franchises and are now bringing strategic discipline and growth models to motorsports. Their presence is seen as a driver of long-term value creation and improved on-track product.
However, Phelps was firm in drawing the line at league ownership: “We are a privately held company owned by the France family, and we’re not entertaining the idea of selling NASCAR.”
As private equity’s role in sports deepens, NASCAR’s message to investors is clear: there is growing opportunity at the team level, but the league itself remains firmly in family hands.
Source: PFSN
