The Richard Childress NASCAR controversy has erupted after internal messages from NASCAR leadership were made public, revealing harsh and disparaging remarks about the Hall of Famer and veteran team owner. The exposed messages have sparked widespread anger within the racing community as the sport faces scrutiny ahead of a significant charter lawsuit trial.
Leaked Internal Messages Target Legendary Team Owner
Richard Childress, the storied leader of Richard Childress Racing, is one of NASCAR’s most influential figures, having built a legacy with multiple championships and racing icons like Dale Earnhardt and Kevin Harvick. Despite recent on-track challenges, his team is still recognized as a cornerstone of the sport.
Recently, confidential conversations between senior NASCAR officials—Steve Phelps, Steve McDonells, and Ben Kennedy—have surfaced in public court files related to the ongoing charter lawsuit. These chats, dated August 2023, show the leadership expressing severe frustration with Childress. Steve Phelps reportedly referred to Childress as a “hindrance to the sport’s growth,” suggesting that if Childress disagrees with NASCAR’s direction, he should consider selling his team’s charters.
“Childress is an idiot. If they don’t like the state of the sport, sell your charter and get out.” — Steve Phelps via a text message.
The nature of these leaked texts—now circulating widely and shared by accounts such as DennyDeliversYT on social media—has ignited public outrage. Race fans and insiders are shocked at the tone used by NASCAR’s top brass when referring to a respected team owner.
Escalating Insults and Threats Emerge in Chats
Within the same exchange, Phelps escalated his remarks, branding Childress with additional insults and referencing punitive measures against the team. The leadership’s rhetoric implied a desire to silence Childress, especially as Richard Childress Racing has been subject to some of the harshest penalties in the Next-Gen era.
“Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.” — Steve Phelps via a text.
Phelps reportedly continued, calling Childress a “dinosaur,” a “clown,” and a “malcontent,” reinforcing the sentiment that Childress should sign the charter extension or exit the sport. These statements point to deep divisions between some team owners and NASCAR leadership during a critical moment for the sport’s future.
“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 via a text.
Strong Backlash from Racing Community
The inflammatory comments quickly drew condemnation, especially from former drivers and NASCAR veterans. Kenny Wallace, a known voice in the racing world, expressed disbelief and dismay in a video statement criticizing NASCAR’s leadership for disrespecting such a pivotal figure in the sport’s history.
“Steve Phelps from NASCAR, he’s not the president right now, but I can’t even believe I’m saying this. He said Richard Childress, one of our biggest car owners in NASCAR, needs to be taken out back and flogged because he’s a dumbass redneck. Should I repeat that?” — Kenny Wallace on X.
Many see the officials’ conduct as a stain on NASCAR’s image. Critics highlight Childress’s massive influence, including his seven Cup championships and role in nurturing icons like Dale Earnhardt. The lack of respect shown in these messages has rattled NASCAR communities, leading many to argue that even a formal apology may not repair the reputational damage caused by the leaked chats.
Potential Fallout and What Lies Ahead
With this controversy unfolding as the pivotal charter lawsuit heads to trial, the Richard Childress NASCAR controversy threatens to deepen rifts between owners and organizational leadership. The exposure of such hostile attitudes toward prominent figures like Childress has raised questions about NASCAR’s internal culture and its treatment of legacy teams. As the racing world waits to see if further action will be taken—either through apologies, teamwork reform, or changes in leadership—the future relationship between figures such as Steve Phelps, Ben Kennedy, and team owners like Richard Childress remains highly uncertain. This incident may well be a catalyst for broader changes in NASCAR’s leadership approach and its engagement with the established pillars of the sport.
i mean i know we all clown on richard childress…
BUT AINT NO WAY THE LITERAL COMMISSIONER IS SAYING STUFF LIKE THIS 😭😭😭💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/1l65zwAHmk
— DennyDeliversYT 📦 (@DennyDelivers2) November 22, 2025
