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In a move that has sent ripples through the motorsports community, Johnny Morris, the founder, majority owner, and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, has authored a blistering open letter to NASCAR and the France family. The letter, released on [Date of Release], directly addresses deeply insulting remarks made by NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps about long-time team owner Richard Childress, which were revealed through text messages during discovery in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR.
The controversy stems from text messages produced as part of the legal proceedings, where Phelps allegedly expressed significant contempt and a profound lack of respect for Childress, a figure who has been an integral part of NASCAR since the 1960s. These messages reportedly characterized Childress, a seven-time Cup Series champion owner, most notably with the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr., with derogatory terms such as "idiot," "redneck," and suggested he "needs to be taken out back and flogged." Further disparaging comments attributed to Phelps included: "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."
The fallout from these revelations has been swift. Richard Childress has publicly stated his consideration of pursuing legal action over the comments and recently provided testimony in the aforementioned antitrust trial concerning the 2025 Charter Agreement. Morris’s letter, while not explicitly calling for Phelps’s removal, strongly implies a desire for accountability and repercussions for the NASCAR Commissioner. Morris described the sentiments expressed by Phelps as "shockingly offensive and false criticisms" and articulated his profound outrage.
Bass Pro Shops, a prominent name in outdoor recreation and a significant sponsor in motorsports, has a vested interest in the sport’s integrity. Beyond their sponsorship of Richard Childress Racing (RCR), the company also partners with Chase Briscoe and Joe Gibbs Racing. This long-standing involvement in NASCAR, spanning decades, underscores the depth of Morris’s concern. Furthermore, Morris and Richard Childress share a close personal friendship, adding a layer of personal conviction to the public statement.
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In his letter, Morris draws a direct parallel between the disrespect shown to Richard Childress and the potential ramifications if similar language were used by a commissioner in another major sport towards its revered legends. He posed the rhetorical question: "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!" This analogy highlights Morris’s belief that such behavior undermines the very fabric of a sport and alienates its foundational figures and fanbase.
Morris’s personal connection to NASCAR traces back to his childhood. He recounts attending races at the fairgrounds speedway in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri, at the tender age of seven with his grandfather, Will. These early experiences, watching luminaries like Willie Crane, Mark Martin, Ken Schrader, and the Wallace brothers compete against local hero Larry Phillips, instilled a lifelong passion for the sport. This deep-seated admiration for NASCAR’s history and its participants is evident in his passionate defense of Childress.
He emphasizes Bass Pro Shops’ commitment to NASCAR, stating 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 broad appeal of NASCAR and the potential for alienating a significant demographic through internal discord and perceived disrespect.
Morris articulates his solidarity with his company’s employees, customers, dealers, and members of the conservation and military communities, all of whom he states are "outraged by how Richard and his family have been treated by some senior NASCAR leaders." He specifically calls out NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps’s alleged criticisms of Childress as "shockingly offensive and false." Morris contends that for the Commissioner and his associates 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."
The letter further elaborates on Childress’s significant contributions, not only to NASCAR but also to the broader conservation movement. Morris highlights Childress’s role as a "passionate advocate for outdoor enthusiasts, and conservationists," and a "true American patriot." He asserts that by attacking Childress, Phelps is also attacking a respected leader within America’s conservation community.
Morris’s critique extends to the perceived impartiality of NASCAR’s leadership. He notes that many within Bass Pro Shops have voiced concerns that Phelps’s demonstrated "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 raises serious questions about the integrity of the sport’s regulatory framework.
The letter concludes with a plea for unity and a forward-looking perspective, acknowledging the France family’s historical role in building NASCAR. Morris expresses genuine respect for the founding family, recognizing their dedication to celebrating patriotism, faith, prayer, and honoring veterans and active-duty military. He describes NASCAR as "a sport celebrated by hardworking American families."
However, Morris expresses pain at the current "conflict and division occurring within the sport we love." He implores the France family and team owners to engage in deep reflection on the damage being inflicted upon NASCAR and to strive for compromise. His hope 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’s closing remarks serve as a powerful reminder of the sport’s roots and the importance of its foundational figures. He states unequivocally, "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 public release of this letter from a prominent sponsor like Bass Pro Shops, led by a respected business figure like Johnny Morris, signifies a critical moment for NASCAR. It brings the internal disputes and the perceived lack of respect for established figures into the public spotlight, potentially intensifying pressure on NASCAR leadership to address these concerns and restore confidence within the sport’s ecosystem. The outcome of these internal and legal conflicts could have significant implications for the future governance and public perception of NASCAR.
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