Steve Phelps calls Richard Childress a redneck idiot in unsealed text

The texts, exchanged between Phelps and NASCAR Chief Media & Revenue Officer Brian Herbst in 2023, occurred during meetings focused on charter extension and contraction discussions. The stated aim of these meetings was to underscore the potential precariousness of future broadcast rights agreements for NASCAR unless a unified front was presented by the industry over the next decade. However, the unearthed messages indicate that Phelps was repeatedly preoccupied with personal attacks on Childress, rather than focusing solely on the strategic objectives of the negotiations.

The genesis of Phelps’ apparent disdain for Childress appears to stem from comments made by the veteran owner on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Childress had voiced his skepticism regarding the ongoing charter negotiations, questioning the financial benefits of a new TV deal by asking, "for who?" He also made a notable statement comparing the cost-effectiveness of older car models, asserting that he could build 14 Gen6 cars for the price of seven NextGen cars. These remarks seemingly struck a nerve with NASCAR’s executive leadership.

The unsealed texts include a series of direct insults from Phelps to Childress:

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"Childress is an idiot. If they don’t like the state of the sport, sell your charter and get out."
"Did I mention Childress was an idiot?"
"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. He’s worth a couple hundred million dollars – every dollar associated with nascar in some fashion. Total ass-clown."
"Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to nascar."

These statements reveal a stark departure from the professional discourse expected between NASCAR’s highest-ranking official and a prominent team owner. The intensity and personal nature of Phelps’ language suggest a deeply held resentment that goes beyond simple policy disagreements.

Richard Childress, a legendary figure in NASCAR, has been a cornerstone of the sport for decades. His career as a driver and owner has yielded unparalleled success, with his teams securing six Cup Series championships, the most recent being in 2011 with Kevin Harvick. Childress Racing has consistently been a competitive force, fielding notable drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Sr., Ricky Bobby (a fictional character, but representative of the team’s impact on popular culture), and the aforementioned Harvick. The team’s legacy is intertwined with the evolution of NASCAR itself, making Phelps’ characterization of Childress as a "dinosaur" particularly pointed.

The context of the charter negotiations is crucial to understanding the significance of these leaked texts. Charters represent a team’s membership in NASCAR’s premier Cup Series, providing guaranteed entry into races and a share of the sport’s revenue. The value and structure of these charters have been a significant point of contention between team owners and NASCAR for years, particularly as the sport navigates complex media rights deals and the evolving economic landscape of professional racing. The current charter agreement was set to expire at the end of the 2024 season, making the 2023 negotiations pivotal for the long-term stability of the teams and the sport.

The antitrust lawsuit, filed in late 2023, centers on allegations that NASCAR has engaged in anti-competitive practices, including manipulating charter values and limiting opportunities for teams to operate independently. The inclusion of these text messages as part of the discovery process in this legal battle brings to light internal dynamics that could be highly relevant to the court’s assessment of NASCAR’s conduct.

Phelps’ remarks, if proven to be representative of his broader approach to negotiations, could be interpreted as evidence of a hostile and dismissive attitude towards dissenting voices within the team owner community. This could potentially impact how a court views NASCAR’s good faith in its dealings with teams.

The lawsuit itself stems from a period of significant flux and uncertainty for NASCAR teams. The Race Team Alliance (RTA), an organization representing many of the sport’s top teams, had been exploring various avenues to ensure greater financial stability and control over their futures. This included discussions about potentially organizing independent racing ventures, exploring international racing opportunities, and seeking more equitable revenue-sharing agreements. The perceived resistance from NASCAR to these initiatives, coupled with the ongoing charter negotiations, fueled the legal action.

The timing of these revelations is also significant. As NASCAR heads into a new era of its broadcast rights, with major deals expected to be finalized, internal discord among its leadership and its most established figures could cast a shadow over the sport’s public image and its ability to present a united front to potential partners and fans.

The specific comments about Childress being a "redneck" and owing his fortune to NASCAR are particularly inflammatory. They appear to dismiss the contributions and legacy of a man who has invested heavily in the sport for over half a century, from his early days as a driver in the 1960s to his current role as a highly successful owner. Childress’s journey mirrors the growth of NASCAR itself, and his financial success is largely a product of his deep involvement and acumen within the racing industry.

Herbst’s role as the recipient of these texts highlights the internal communication channels within NASCAR’s executive suite. The fact that Phelps felt comfortable expressing such strong, negative sentiments about a prominent owner to a colleague suggests either a deeply ingrained personal animosity or a perceived impunity within the organization’s leadership.

The unsealed documents also hint at NASCAR’s broader strategic interests during this period. Beyond the charter negotiations, there were discussions about competitive threats, including the Super Star Racing Experience (SRX). Reports have indicated that NASCAR wanted to see the SRX series, which features veteran drivers in a unique format, effectively neutralized. This further illustrates a pattern of strategic maneuvering and a desire to maintain control over the racing landscape, potentially at the expense of independent initiatives or established figures who express dissent.

The lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports is a landmark case that could have far-reaching implications for the governance and business model of NASCAR. The unsealed text messages involving Steve Phelps and Richard Childress serve as a stark reminder of the complex and often contentious relationships that underpin the sport’s economic and operational structure. As the legal proceedings continue, these revelations are likely to be a focal point, shedding light on the internal culture and decision-making processes within NASCAR’s leadership. The statements attributed to Phelps raise questions about his impartiality and his ability to foster a collaborative environment essential for the sport’s continued growth and success.