Johnny Morris, the founder, majority owner, and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, issued a strong letter condemning NASCAR leadership and the France family, particularly criticizing their stance on Richard Childress, a longtime team owner. Text messages revealed during the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports vs. NASCAR antitrust lawsuit showed NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps expressing intense disdain for Childress, who has been involved in the sport since the 1960s. Phelps called Childress derogatory names like “idiot,” “redneck,” and “clown,” and suggested he should be sidelined or sold off. Childress, a six-time Cup Series champion with Dale Earnhardt Sr., has hinted at potential legal action over these remarks and has recently testified in the 2025 Charter Agreement case.
Morris’s letter, though not directly calling for Phelps’s removal, strongly implies that sentiment, expressing outrage from the conservationist community over the disparaging comments and calling them “shockingly offensive and false criticism.” Morris warned that these attitudes threaten the sport’s integrity because those who hold them are also responsible for officiating and penalty decisions. Bass Pro Shops has been a key NASCAR sponsor for nearly 30 years, supporting Childress’s No. 3 car driven by Austin Dillon as well as other teams and initiatives within the sport. Morris highlighted Childress’s leadership, competitive spirit, and contributions to conservation and patriotism, defending his legacy against the insults from NASCAR executives.
The letter also praised the France family’s long-standing commitment to tradition, patriotism, and honoring military service, urging all parties involved to work toward unity rather than conflict. Morris emphasized the importance of respecting the pioneers of NASCAR and suggested that the sport’s leadership must find a way to resolve internal disputes swiftly to protect NASCAR’s future and its fanbase.
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Fan Take: This unfolding controversy between NASCAR leadership and a legendary figure like Richard Childress shines a light on the internal struggles threatening the sport’s unity and public image. For fans, it raises concerns about fairness in governance and the need for leadership that respects the sport’s history while steering it toward a positive future.
