Bass Pro Shops CEO Pens Scathing Open Letter to NASCAR, Denouncing Leadership’s Reported Insults Against Richard Childress

Johnny Morris, the founder, majority owner, and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, has issued a forceful and public rebuke of NASCAR’s senior leadership, specifically targeting NASCAR President Steve Phelps, in response to recently unsealed text messages that revealed deeply disparaging remarks about longtime team owner Richard Childress. The letter, addressed to NASCAR and the France family, the sport’s founding stewards, expresses profound disappointment and outrage from Morris, his company, and a broad segment of the NASCAR community.

The controversy stems from text messages that surfaced as part of the ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR. Within these communications, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps is reported to have expressed contempt and a significant lack of respect for Richard Childress, a figure who has been an integral part of the sport since the 1960s. Childress, a legendary figure in NASCAR, is credited with leading Dale Earnhardt Sr. to six Cup Series championships and has been a cornerstone of the sport for decades.

The unsealed messages reportedly characterize Childress with highly offensive language, including being called an "idiot," a "redneck," and suggesting he "needs to be taken out back and flogged." One particular excerpt quoted in the original report states: "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."

These remarks have prompted Richard Childress himself to consider legal action, as reported previously. Childress recently testified in the aforementioned antitrust trial concerning the 2025 Charter Agreement, a critical juncture for the sport’s economic structure.

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Morris’s letter, while not explicitly calling for Phelps’s removal, strongly implies such a desire by highlighting the conservationist community’s offense. He describes the criticisms as "shockingly offensive and false criticisms" and argues that such sentiments from NASCAR’s leadership pose "a threat to the very integrity of the sport." This concern is rooted in the fact that these individuals are responsible for officiating, rule enforcement, and the imposition of penalties within NASCAR.

Bass Pro Shops maintains a significant presence in NASCAR. The company is a key partner of Richard Childress Racing, sponsoring Austin Dillon’s No. 3 Cup Series car. Additionally, Bass Pro Shops is a partner of Chase Briscoe’s No. 19 Cup team at Joe Gibbs Racing, underscoring the brand’s deep and long-standing commitment to the sport, which spans nearly three decades. Johnny Morris and Richard Childress share a close personal friendship, further intensifying Morris’s reaction.

In his letter, Morris draws a parallel to other major professional sports, asking what would happen if a commissioner in Major League Baseball were to publicly disparage icons like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, or Babe Ruth. He suggests that such blatant disrespect would likely be met with widespread fan disapproval and that a commissioner engaging in such behavior would not, or should not, retain their position for long.

Morris begins his personal account by reminiscing about his childhood as a NASCAR fan, attending races at the Springfield, MO fairgrounds speedway with his grandfather. He recalls watching local heroes and future stars, establishing a personal connection to the sport’s roots. He then pivots to the extensive involvement of Bass Pro Shops, noting that NASCAR resonates deeply with their customer base, which comprises "America’s 180 million outdoor enthusiasts and 60 million hunters and anglers."

The letter emphasizes the pride Bass Pro Shops takes in its sponsorship of NASCAR and its long-standing relationship with Richard Childress and Austin Dillon. Morris states that since Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Childress welcomed Bass Pro Shops into the sport 28 years ago, Childress has become a "special friend." He describes Childress as a "great leader, a fierce competitor and a passionate advocate for outdoor enthusiasts, and conservationists," and a "true American patriot." Morris unequivocally states that Childress is "a long time admired and respected member of our Bass Pro Shops family!"

The core of Morris’s grievance lies in the "shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR Steve Phelps." He asserts that 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 highlights Childress’s significant contributions not only to racing but also to the conservation community, suggesting that Phelps may be unaware of the broader impact of his attacks. The repeated labeling of Childress as "an idiot," a "dinosaur," "a stupid redneck," and a "clown" is directly challenged by Morris, who contends that "Richard Childress has done as much to build and promote NASCAR as anyone in the history of the sport!" He concludes this point by stating that Phelps, in his "rant," has only succeeded in "bring[ing] discredit to himself and the sport."

A significant concern raised by Morris, echoing sentiments from within his company and the wider NASCAR community, is the potential for bias in officiating and rule enforcement. The unsealed comments from Phelps create a perception that he and his subordinates may be incapable of impartial judgment when it comes to applying rules, assessing fines, and determining penalties. This, Morris argues, constitutes a direct threat to the sport’s integrity.

Morris expresses deep respect for the France family, acknowledging their role in building NASCAR into a "great All-American sporting tradition." He commends their historical emphasis on faith, prayer, patriotism, and their dedication to honoring veterans and active-duty military personnel, noting that they have cultivated a sport celebrated by "hardworking American families."

The letter concludes with a plea for unity and a constructive path forward. Morris describes the current conflict and division within NASCAR as "painful for all fans." He expresses hope that the France family and team owners will engage in thoughtful reflection on the damage being inflicted upon NASCAR and will "dig deep and strive hard for compromise." The overarching desire is 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 reiterates a fundamental principle: as NASCAR seeks to expand its reach and attract new generations of fans, it 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 serves as a stark warning from a prominent industry stakeholder about the potential consequences of leadership’s perceived disrespect towards foundational figures in the sport.

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