Bass Pro Shops Founder Unleashes Scathing Critique on NASCAR Leadership Amidst Unsealed Text Message Controversy

Springfield, MO – [Date] – Johnny Morris, the visionary founder, majority owner, and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, has penned a forceful and unequivocal letter to NASCAR and the influential France family, publicly denouncing recent revelations of disparaging remarks made by NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps and other senior leadership concerning veteran team owner Richard Childress. The unsealed text messages, surfaced through legal discovery in the antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR, have ignited a firestorm of criticism from a prominent figure deeply entrenched in the sport.

The unearthed communications paint a picture of significant disdain and a profound lack of respect from NASCAR’s upper echelon towards Richard Childress, a figure whose career in stock car racing has spanned since the 1960s. The unearthed messages refer to Childress, a celebrated owner with six NASCAR Cup Series championships to his name, earned in partnership with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., using deeply offensive and demeaning language. Terms such as "idiot," "redneck," and chilling phrases like "needs to be taken out back and flogged" have been attributed to NASCAR leadership in their private communications. Further excerpts reveal a dismissive attitude towards Childress’s concerns, with one message stating, "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."

In response to these revelations, Richard Childress has publicly indicated his consideration of legal recourse, underscoring the gravity of the situation. His testimony in the ongoing 23XI/FRM vs. NASCAR trial concerning the 2025 Charter Agreement further situates these private remarks within a critical juncture for the sport’s economic and operational future.

Morris’s letter, while not explicitly calling for Phelps’s removal, strongly implies a desire for such an outcome. He articulated significant outrage from the conservationist community, a constituency with which Bass Pro Shops and Childress share deep ties, describing the anti-Childress comments as "shockingly offensive and false criticisms." Morris went further, asserting that such sentiments from key decision-makers within NASCAR pose "a threat to the very integrity of the sport," particularly given their roles in officiating and determining penalties.

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The extensive involvement of Bass Pro Shops in NASCAR provides a crucial backdrop to Morris’s impassioned stance. The company is a significant partner of Richard Childress Racing, sponsoring Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Cup car. Furthermore, Bass Pro Shops also backs Chase Briscoe and the No. 19 Cup team at Joe Gibbs Racing, alongside numerous other partnerships within the sport. This deep, multi-decade commitment, spanning nearly 30 years, positions Morris as a vested stakeholder whose perspective carries considerable weight. His personal friendship with Richard Childress further personalizes his response to what he perceives as a grave injustice.

Morris’s letter, presented in full, opens with a personal reflection on his lifelong connection to NASCAR, dating back to his childhood attendance at races in Springfield, Missouri. He recounts early memories of local heroes like Larry Phillips competing against established names such as Willie Crane, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, and the Wallace brothers. This nostalgic framing establishes a foundational appreciation for the sport’s roots and its community.

He then pivots to the significant role Bass Pro Shops has played as a sponsor, highlighting how NASCAR resonates deeply with their "Outfitters" and their core customer base, which comprises "America’s 180 million outdoor enthusiasts and 60 million hunters and anglers." This connection underscores the brand’s alignment with the demographic that has historically supported and continues to drive NASCAR’s appeal.

Morris expresses profound pride in Bass Pro Shops’ sponsorship of NASCAR and their long-standing relationship with Richard Childress and his grandson, Austin Dillon. He recounts being welcomed into the sport 28 years ago by Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Childress, framing Childress not just as a business associate but as a "special friend in life." Morris characterizes Childress as a "great leader, a fierce competitor and a passionate advocate for outdoor enthusiasts, and conservationists," and a "true American patriot." He emphasizes Childress’s standing within the Bass Pro Shops family as a "long time admired and respected member."

The letter then directly addresses the outrage felt by "way too many of my fellow teammates, our valued customers, our independent dealers and respected members of the conservation and military communities" regarding the treatment of Richard Childress and his family by "some senior NASCAR leaders." This broad coalition of stakeholders amplifies the sentiment of widespread disapproval.

Morris explicitly states his extreme disappointment with the "shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR Steve Phelps." He argues that the Commissioner and his "allies" attacking "one of the pillars of the sport is incredibly irresponsible and a disservice to everyone involved in NASCAR and its partners, sponsors and fans."

He further contextualizes the criticism by pointing out that in attacking Richard Childress, the racing legend, Phelps is also "attacking one of the most respected leaders in America’s conservation community." He reiterates the specific derogatory labels used by the commissioner: "an idiot," "a dinosaur," "a stupid redneck," and a "clown."

Morris counters these characterizations by asserting that "Richard Childress has done as much to build and promote NASCAR as anyone in the history of the sport!" He concludes that Phelps’s "rant" has only served to "bring discredit to himself and the sport."

A significant concern articulated by Morris, echoing sentiments from within his company, is that Phelps’s "contempt for Richard Childress makes it abundantly clear that he and his lieutenants are not capable of being fair and objective when it comes to impartially enforcing the rules and regulations that govern the sport, including the objective assessment of fines and penalties." He reiterates that this constitutes "a threat to the very integrity of the sport."

To illustrate the gravity of such remarks from a leadership position, Morris draws a parallel to Major League Baseball, questioning the public reaction if a new commissioner were to "trash talk one of the true legends who built the game like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth." He suggests that such "blatant disrespect would probably not sit well with the fans – such a commissioner most likely wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, keep his or her job for very long!"

Morris expresses "genuine respect for the family who gave birth to the great All-American sporting tradition of NASCAR." He acknowledges the France family’s long-standing tradition of faith, prayer, patriotism, honoring veterans and active-duty military, and building a sport celebrated by "hardworking American families." This acknowledgment aims to differentiate the broader NASCAR institution and its founding family from the actions of specific leadership figures.

He concludes by lamenting the "painful" current "conflict and division occurring within the sport we love." Morris expresses hope that the France family and team owners will "reflect carefully on the damage that’s being done to NASCAR in the ongoing dispute and dig deep and strive hard for compromise." He voices a collective cheer for a "prompt and fair resolution that creates a positive path to a happy and long-term future for the founding family, team owners and most importantly, the fans."

Morris ends with a firm declaration: "One thing is for certain, as the leaders of NASCAR seek to grow the sport and attract new generations of fans, they must never turn their back on, or abandon, the true pioneers and especially fans who form the foundation of the sport we love." This statement serves as a stark warning against alienating the sport’s heritage and its most dedicated supporters in pursuit of future growth. The letter signifies a critical moment of public dissent from a major corporate partner, raising significant questions about leadership, respect, and the foundational values of NASCAR.