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CHARLOTTE, NC – Unsealed text messages, revealed as part of the ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR, have brought to light disparaging remarks made by NASCAR President Steve Phelps concerning veteran team owner Richard Childress. The communications, exchanged in 2023 during critical charter extension negotiations, paint a picture of deep professional animosity from Phelps towards the six-time Cup Series championship-winning owner.
The texts, sent between Phelps and NASCAR Chief Media & Revenue Officer Brian Herbst, occurred during a meeting with team owners aimed at discussing the future of the sport’s charter system and its implications for upcoming broadcast rights agreements. Herbst was providing Phelps with real-time updates from the meeting, and in response, Phelps repeatedly launched personal attacks against Childress.
The genesis of this animosity appears to stem from public comments made by Childress on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio earlier in 2023. During an interview, Childress expressed skepticism regarding the charter negotiations and the potential benefits of the new Next Gen car, notably stating he could build 14 previous-generation Gen6 cars for the cost of seven Next Gen models. When questioned about the impact of the new television deal, Childress’s response, "for who?" was perceived as a direct challenge to NASCAR’s leadership and their strategic vision for the sport.
In the unsealed texts, Phelps’s reactions to Childress’s sentiments were stark and unprofessional. One message reads: "Childress is an idiot. If they don’t like the state of the sport, sell your charter and get out." This was followed by a reiteration: "Did I mention Childress was an idiot?"
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The verbal assault continued with Phelps characterizing Childress as out of touch and resistant to change. "If he’s that angry (and apparently he is) sign your charter extension and sell. He’s not smart, is a dinosaur, and a malcontent," Phelps texted. He further added, "He’s worth a couple hundred million dollars – every dollar associated with nascar in some fashion. Total ass-clown." The exchange culminated in a particularly vitriolic remark: "Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to nascar."
These communications offer a rare glimpse into the internal sentiments of NASCAR’s top executive regarding a highly influential figure in the sport’s history. Richard Childress, a legendary figure in NASCAR, has been involved in the sport for decades, both as a driver and an owner. His RCR (Richard Childress Racing) team has achieved significant success, including multiple Cup Series championships with drivers like Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Kevin Harvick. The team currently fields the No. 3 Chevrolet for Austin Dillon and the No. 31 Chevrolet for Daniel Hemric in the Cup Series, with Dillon having secured a playoff berth in 2023.
The context of these text messages is crucial to understanding the broader implications. The charter system, introduced in 2016, guarantees participating teams a share of NASCAR’s revenue and provides a level of stability. However, the system has been a point of contention, with many teams, particularly those outside the top-tier organizations, advocating for greater financial security and a more equitable distribution of assets. The ongoing lawsuit by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports centers on allegations that NASCAR has acted as a monopoly, unfairly influencing the market for charters and hindering competition.
NASCAR’s broadcast rights are a significant revenue stream for the sport and its stakeholders. The negotiations for the next media rights deal, which is expected to be a multi-billion dollar agreement, are a period of immense strategic importance. During such sensitive discussions, unity and a cohesive message from team owners are generally seen as advantageous for the sanctioning body. Childress’s public pronouncements, questioning the value and direction of the sport, directly challenged this desired unity.
Phelps’s unvarnished language in the text messages suggests a deep-seated frustration with Childress’s perceived obstructionism. The term "redneck," often used pejoratively to describe individuals from rural, working-class backgrounds, combined with "idiot" and "dinosaur," indicates a dismissal of Childress’s perspective and experience. The accusation that Childress "owes his entire fortune to nascar" highlights a perceived ingratitude from Phelps’s viewpoint, given Childress’s extensive involvement and success within the sport.
The unsealing of these communications raises questions about the professional conduct expected of NASCAR’s leadership and the potential impact of such sentiments on ongoing negotiations and relationships within the industry. The antitrust lawsuit itself is a testament to the deep divisions that can exist between NASCAR and its team owners, and these newly revealed texts serve to underscore the intensity of those disagreements.
The lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by Bob Jenkins, alleges that NASCAR has manipulated the charter system to its own advantage, preventing teams from freely selling their charters at market value and stifling competition. The legal proceedings are expected to delve further into NASCAR’s internal operations and decision-making processes.
Richard Childress, through his extensive career, has been a vocal advocate for the interests of team owners and has often spoken candidly about the challenges facing the sport. His public statements, while sometimes controversial, are often viewed as an honest reflection of concerns held by many within the garage area. The current legal battle and the revelations from these text messages are likely to further intensify the scrutiny on NASCAR’s governance and its relationships with its most prominent stakeholders.
The outcome of the antitrust lawsuit, along with the ongoing discussions around the charter system and future media rights, will undoubtedly shape the landscape of NASCAR for years to come. The unsealed texts involving Steve Phelps and Richard Childress provide a stark reminder of the personal dynamics and underlying tensions that can influence the strategic direction of a major professional sports league.
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