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Charlotte, NC – Johnny Morris, the visionary founder, majority owner, and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, has authored a strongly worded letter directed at NASCAR and the France family, the sport’s governing body and ownership, expressing profound indignation over disparaging comments made by NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps concerning veteran team owner Richard Childress. The revelations, unearthed through discovery in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR, have ignited a firestorm of controversy, prompting a significant public rebuke from one of the sport’s most prominent partners.
The core of Morris’s grievance lies in a series of text messages attributed to Phelps, which surfaced during legal proceedings. These communications, reportedly exchanged between Phelps and others within NASCAR leadership, reveal a startling lack of respect and outright contempt for Richard Childress, a figure who has been inextricably linked with the fabric of stock car racing since the 1960s. Childress, a celebrated owner with six NASCAR Cup Series championships to his name, primarily achieved with the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr., is characterized in these messages with deeply offensive epithets. Descriptions such as "idiot," "redneck," and the chilling suggestion that he "needs to be taken out back and flogged" paint a disturbing picture of the sentiment held by a high-ranking NASCAR official towards a foundational figure in the sport.
Further excerpts from the unsealed texts reportedly describe Childress as "not smart," a "dinosaur," and a "malcontent," adding that he is "worth a couple hundred million dollars – every dollar associated with nascar in some fashion. Total ass-clown." These remarks have not only deeply offended Childress himself, who has publicly stated he is exploring legal action in response, but have also resonated strongly with those who have long admired his contributions. Childress recently testified in the antitrust trial concerning the 2025 Charter Agreement, where these communications have become a focal point.
Johnny Morris, in his meticulously crafted letter, stops short of explicitly demanding Phelps’ removal but strongly implies that such a change in leadership is warranted. He articulates the outrage felt within the conservationist community, a demographic with which Childress has strong ties, describing the criticisms as "shockingly offensive and false." Morris’s concern extends beyond mere personal offense, framing these remarks as a significant threat to the "very integrity of the sport." He emphasizes that individuals holding such disrespectful views towards established figures are the same individuals tasked with officiating races and determining penalties, raising serious questions about impartiality and fairness in NASCAR’s decision-making processes.
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The involvement of Bass Pro Shops in NASCAR is extensive and deeply rooted. The company is a significant partner of Richard Childress Racing, sponsoring the No. 3 Cup Series car driven by Austin Dillon. Furthermore, Bass Pro Shops also aligns with Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Cup team at Joe Gibbs Racing, alongside numerous other ventures within the sport. This multi-faceted relationship, spanning nearly three decades, underscores the company’s commitment to NASCAR and highlights the personal connection between Morris and Childress, who are described as close friends.
Morris’s letter, shared in full, opens with a personal anecdote, tracing his own lifelong passion for NASCAR back to his childhood in Springfield, Missouri. He recounts attending races at the local fairgrounds speedway with his grandfather, witnessing legendary figures like Willie Crane, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, and the Wallace brothers compete. This nostalgic opening serves to establish his genuine and enduring connection to the sport.
He then transitions to the broader significance of NASCAR for Bass Pro Shops and its customer base, emphasizing that the sport "resonates deeply not only with our own Outfitters, but with our core customer base – America’s 180 million outdoor enthusiasts and 60 million hunters and anglers." This highlights the strategic importance of NASCAR sponsorship for the outdoor retail giant.
Morris voices his speaking up on behalf of "the wonderful people in our company who consider it an honor and a great source of pride to have sponsored NASCAR and our friend Richard Childress and his grandson Austin Dillon, for a very long time." He elaborates on his personal relationship with Childress, stating, "Since Dale Eanhardt Sr. and Richard Childress welcomed us to the sport 28 years ago, Richard has become a special friend in life. He’s a great leader, a fierce competitor and a passionate advocate for outdoor enthusiasts, and conservationists, he is a true American patriot. Most of all, to us, Richard is a long time admired and respected member of our Bass Pro Shops family!"
The letter then directly addresses the offensive nature of Phelps’s comments. "As I write this today, way too many of my fellow teammates, our valued customers, our independent dealers and respected members of the conservation and military communities… are outraged by how Richard and his family have been treated by some senior NASCAR leaders," Morris states. He specifically calls out Phelps, noting, "We are extremely upset by the recent disclosure of shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR Steve Phelps. For the Commissioner and his allies, to attack one of the pillars of the sport is incredibly irresponsible and a disservice to everyone involved in NASCAR and its partners, sponsors and fans."
Morris further underscores Childress’s significant standing beyond the racing circuit: "What Mr. Phelps may or may not be aware of is the fact that in attacking Richard Childress, the racing legend, he is also attacking one of the most respected leaders in America’s conservation community." He reiterates the specific insults leveled by the commissioner, stating, "The commissioner has repeatedly labeled Richard as ‘an idiot,’ a ‘dinosaur,’ ‘a stupid redneck’ and a ‘clown.’"
Morris forcefully counters these characterizations by highlighting Childress’s integral role in the sport’s development: "The fact is Richard Childress has done as much to build and promote NASCAR as anyone in the history of the sport! The commissioner, in all his rant, has only managed to bring discredit to himself and the sport." The potential implications for NASCAR’s governance are also a critical concern for Morris. He notes that "Many of our teammates have validly expressed concern that the commissioner’s recently revealed 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. This is a threat to the very integrity of the sport."
To illustrate the gravity of such disrespect within a sporting context, Morris draws a parallel to other major American sports: "We can’t help but wonder what would happen if Major League Baseball brought in a new commissioner and he or she trash talked one of the true legends who built the game like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth? 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," referring to the France family. He acknowledges their traditional values, noting, "The France Family has always celebrated the beginning of every race with faith and prayer and saluted patriotism, with the singing of the national anthem, and remaining steadfast in going above and beyond to honor our veterans and active-duty military. They have built a sport celebrated by hardworking American families."
Concluding his impassioned plea, Morris laments the current state of affairs within NASCAR: "It is painful for all fans to watch the current conflict and division occurring within the sport we love." He urges for introspection and resolution, stating, "We hope 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. We’re cheering 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 leaves no ambiguity regarding the importance of respecting the sport’s heritage: "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." The letter signifies a significant moment, with a major corporate partner publicly challenging NASCAR’s internal culture and leadership, amplifying the pressure on the sport to address the fallout from the unsealed text messages and ensure a fair and equitable future for all stakeholders.
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