Richard Childress Racing is considering taking legal steps after offensive messages from NASCAR officials about Richard Childress reemerged in connection to an ongoing antitrust case in the sport. The Richard Childress Racing legal action weighs on comments made in 2023, and the controversy has now prompted a strong reply from both the team and Childress himself.
Background on the Controversial Comments
In 2023, Steve Phelps, now the Commissioner of NASCAR, expressed frustration with Richard Childress after critical media comments made by Childress. Communications between Phelps and another NASCAR executive, Brian Herbst, showed personal attacks against Childress, including a message stating that Childress,
“needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to nascar [sic].”
These private remarks have resurfaced as evidence in the current antitrust litigation involving NASCAR.
Richard Childress Racing’s Public Response
Once these text messages became public, Richard Childress Racing did not hold back in their reaction. They highlighted their disappointment with both the content and the tone of the comments by NASCAR leadership, which they saw as emblematic of larger issues within the organization.
“RCR and Richard Childress are deeply disappointed by the insensitive and defamatory statements made about Mr. Childress in recently surfaced text messages between NASCAR executives Steve Phelps and Brian Herbst,”
the team said in the statement, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports.
The team’s statement described the messages as reflecting,
“the way certain NASCAR executives have historically viewed and treated many team owners like Mr. Childress,”
whom they note has contributed greatly to the sport throughout his career. The team emphasized the decades of hard work that Childress and others have committed to making NASCAR successful for participants, sponsors, and fans.
Potential Legal Actions Under Review
In light of the recent revelations, Richard Childress Racing is actively considering legal action against those involved in sending the disparaging messages. Discussions with legal counsel are ongoing, and the team indicated they will not be making further public statements about the situation while legal options are explored.
“RCR and Richard Childress are equally disappointed for the NASCAR fans, with whom Mr. Childress closely identifies, given his humble and hard-working background. Mr. Childress and the organization will issue no further statements regarding these or other defamatory text messages that have recently surfaced, as legal action is being contemplated and discussed with legal counsel.”
– RCR statement, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports
Broader Implications for NASCAR and Team Relationships
The incident has underscored ongoing tension between some team owners and the NASCAR leadership, as revealed by the language and attitudes in the leaked communications. The strong stance taken by Richard Childress Racing signals the likelihood of further scrutiny into how executive decisions and private commentary may impact the trust between teams, sponsors, and governing bodies. As the legal review process continues, the outcome could shape future dialogue and the organizational culture within NASCAR.
RCR says it is contemplating legal action over the comments in the recently released text exchange between Steve Phelps and Brian Herbst. pic.twitter.com/BcJ1sbIPd9
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 24, 2025
