The NASCAR world is dealing with shock and controversy as the Richard Childress NASCAR scandal breaks, with newly revealed text messages from the 23XI–NASCAR trial showing Commissioner Steve Phelps making offensive remarks about Richard Childress. The revelations have sparked anger and debate among fans, drivers, and team owners, highlighting deep divisions within NASCAR leadership.
Longstanding Tensions Between Richard Childress and Mark Martin
In the 1990s, Mark Martin built much of his racing legacy with teams tied closely to Richard Childress, first through Roush Racing, which later became Richard Childress Racing. Martin, who spent sixteen years with the team, collected thirty-five Cup Series victories and finished second in the championship standings on four occasions. Despite his success, Martin recently spoke on the Scene Vault podcast about longstanding frustrations with Childress, particularly stemming from a pivotal 1990 championship moment he blames Childress for costing him.
Martin recalled an incident that left a significant mark on his career, revealing,
“I have a reason to not particularly care for Richard Childress, you know. I feel like he was responsible for me not winning the 1990 championship when he drug the official over there and pointed at my carburetor spacer and said, ‘Right, there it is,’”
said Martin.
Nevertheless, Martin stressed that his personal grievances did not overshadow his respect for Childress or the massive influence Childress has had on NASCAR. Martin was clear in voicing outrage at the derogatory comments directed at Childress by high-ranking NASCAR figures.
“To be real honest with you, I did become totally furious with the a** clown, you know, with him (Phelps) calling him (Childress) that is totally a bridge too far,”
Martin continued.
— Mark Martin, former NASCAR driver
“I’m gonna stick here and defend Richard Childress because I have respect for everything he’s done in his career.”
— Mark Martin, former NASCAR driver
Commissioner Steve Phelps’s Disparaging Comments Heighten Tension
The scandal escalated during negotiations between NASCAR executives and team owners in 2023, as texts between Commissioner Steve Phelps and league Chief Media & Revenue Officer Brian Herbst surfaced. The focus of the exchange was a high-stakes meeting about the future of NASCAR’s charter extension and the looming broadcast rights negotiations, both crucial to the sport’s direction for the next decade.
Updates from Herbst to Phelps during the meeting included multiple derogatory remarks about Childress, suggesting a tense internal environment. Part of the dispute is traced back to Childress’s public criticisms aired during a SiriusXM NASCAR Radio appearance, where Childress voiced opinions about charter negotiations that clashed with the views of NASCAR’s executive leadership. These comments appear to have soured relations between Childress and the organization’s top decision-makers.
One of the most inflammatory texts attributed to Phelps read,
“Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to nascar,”
revealing both the level of personal animosity and deep-rooted institutional tension.
Richard Childress’s Legacy and Fallout from the Scandal
Richard Childress’s journey is often described as a quintessential rags-to-riches saga within NASCAR, rising from humble beginnings as a driver to becoming the owner of teams associated with legends like Dale Earnhardt and the iconic No. 3 car. Given Childress’s decades-long impact on NASCAR, the disparaging texts have provoked a strong backlash, with figures like Mark Martin and many others rallying to defend Childress’s contributions. The situation also points to significant internal challenges as NASCAR faces critical decisions regarding its structure, partnerships, and public image moving forward.
As details continue to emerge from the 23XI–NASCAR trial and fallout mounts, attention remains focused on how the organization will address internal discord and work to rebuild trust. The Richard Childress NASCAR scandal serves as a stark reminder of the complex personal and professional dynamics within the sport, with its outcome poised to influence both leadership relationships and NASCAR’s reputation in the years ahead.
In an exhibit of texts that the jury won’t get to see because would be used more as inflammatory are some texts showing Steve Phelps frustration over things Richard Childress said in August 2023. Texts are to VP Brian Herbst during/following a meeting (believe with some teams): pic.twitter.com/wWx6mAVuxY
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 22, 2025
