Controversy has erupted in the NASCAR world after leaked internal messages revealed sharp insults from Commissioner Steve Phelps directed at Richard Childress, with the comments surfacing just before a major antitrust trial. The escalation comes as the Richard Childress NASCAR controversy becomes a central focal point in the broader dispute over media rights and league leadership, influencing public perception of the ongoing lawsuit.
Leaked Text Messages Shed Light on Internal NASCAR Tensions
In the weeks leading up to the highly anticipated antitrust trial on December 1, confidential messages between NASCAR executives came to light, exposing behind-the-scenes frustrations over negotiations and relationships with team owners. The texts, sent in August 2023 between Steve Phelps and Brian Herbst, then serving as Chief Media and Revenue Officer, were disclosed as part of legal filings connected to the lawsuit brought by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
The discussions took place during a critical period, as NASCAR negotiated a $7.7 billion media-rights agreement covering 2025 through 2031. League executives, facing market uncertainty, emphasized the need for unity when working with broadcasters and teams. Herbst kept Phelps updated on the ongoing owners’ meetings, suggesting that collective discussions could help align their approach to the shifting media landscape.
“I do think – at some point – it would be helpful for you/me to get in a big room with these owners/presidents to talk about state of the media business, fragility of the day 1 model, and how we all need to come together in order to stand a chance in 2030/2031.”
— Brian Herbst, then Chief Media & Revenue Officer
Phelps’ responses, preserved in the lawsuit records, contained inflammatory criticism of Richard Childress, reflecting deep-seated frustrations among senior staff.
“I agree with you. Did you give them some sense of how bad things are out there? Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.”
— Steve Phelps, NASCAR Commissioner
“Did I mention Childress is an idiot. 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.”
— Steve Phelps, NASCAR Commissioner
Herbst’s reaction, according to documents, included laughter emojis and brief agreement, highlighting the private nature of these exchanges and the tensions running through senior leadership. Additional messages in the same thread referenced FOX CEO and Executive Producer Eric Shanks, with Shanks expressing his own discontent about ongoing negotiations.
Court Proceedings and Pretrial Rulings Shape the Legal Landscape
The controversy unfolds as the antitrust case moves toward its final phase. Judge Kenneth Bell has already established key legal parameters: a market definition ruling favoring the teams, requirements for major owners like Rick Hendrick and Roger Penske to provide full depositions, and restrictions barring speculative comparisons to Formula 1’s revenue structure.
Despite extensive efforts to broker a settlement, negotiations have stalled, bringing new scrutiny to NASCAR’s internal communications and leadership dynamics. These revelations add to the complex web of grievances between league officials and team stakeholders.
Internal Strife over SRX Participation Intensifies Boardroom Discontent
Additional court filings made public from the 23XI Racing – Front Row Motorsports lawsuit unveiled another set of internal NASCAR messages. This conversation from 2022 illustrates league executives’ aggravated response to Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks and 23XI co-owner Denny Hamlin participating in the SRX Series, a summer short-track championship featuring veterans and celebrity drivers, with its second season gaining traction at high-profile venues like Nashville Fairgrounds and North Wilkesboro.
While fans greeted Marks and Hamlin’s involvement with amusement, aiming at growing the sport’s appeal, NASCAR’s inner circle viewed the move as an affront. Fox Sports reporter Bob Pockrass released a June 2022 message thread involving Steve O’Donnell, Steve Phelps, and another unnamed executive.
“This is NASCAR. Pure and simple. Enough. We need to take legal to take a shot at this,”
— Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR Executive
“These guys are just plain stupid. Need to put a knife in this trash series,”
— Steve Phelps, NASCAR Commissioner
The messages further revealed anxiety among leadership concerning SRX’s role in reviving iconic short tracks such as North Wilkesboro and Bowman Gray—tracks considered essential for Cup Series expansion—which they feared might embolden a competing series if NASCAR delayed formal involvement.
Looking Ahead: Trial Timeline and Public Impact
Judge Kenneth Bell, clarifying the trial’s focus, emphasized that the proceedings would exclude any evidence intended solely to embarrass individuals and consider the net worth of high-profile figures like Jim France and Michael Jordan irrelevant to the case. The trial, expected to last roughly ten days, begins December 1 with a jury of six and three alternates.
As the legal process intensifies, the Richard Childress NASCAR controversy has deepened public and media scrutiny of the sport’s leadership, exposing rifts between executives, owners, and stakeholders such as Rick Hendrick, Roger Penske, and team owners. The revelations signal that the tension inside NASCAR headquarters is far from resolved, raising questions about the governing body’s future direction—and how the league will rebuild internal trust after these disputes come to light.
There's a lot here in this August 30 2023 text thread with Steve Phelps, Steve O'Donnell and Brian Herbst
There's not great conviction in their broadcast chances in 2030/31 unless the sport is in a better place
They were really frustrated with Richard Childress at the time pic.twitter.com/a8lR7VxCsW
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) November 22, 2025
Some interesting texts revealed tonight … the text reaction of Phelps and O’Donnell when they found out Denny Hamlin was running SRX … (tonight is the deadline for redacted exhibits to be filed for exhibits used in the summary judgment rulings). pic.twitter.com/EE6WURbibY
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 22, 2025
