In text messages revealed during the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports vs. NASCAR antitrust lawsuit, NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps demonstrated a clear lack of professional respect for veteran team owner Richard Childress. During a 2023 team owners’ meeting focused on charter extension negotiations, Phelps received updates from Brian Herbst, the league’s chief media and revenue officer, and repeatedly insulted Childress, a six-time Cup Series championship winner. Phelps described Childress as an “idiot,” a “dinosaur,” and a “clown,” suggesting that if Childress was unhappy with NASCAR’s direction, he should sell his charter and exit the sport. He also implied that Childress’s wealth is heavily dependent on NASCAR and even made a derogatory comment calling for him to be “whipped.” These texts expose a deep tension between NASCAR’s leadership and one of its most respected team owners.
Fan Take: This revelation is significant for NASCAR fans because it highlights potential fractures within the sport’s leadership, which could impact its future governance and relationships with longtime stakeholders. If such discord continues, it may influence how NASCAR evolves and maintains unity among its key figures, affecting the sport’s stability and growth.
