In the aftermath of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, controversy ignited when leaked messages from NASCAR executives raised questions about their intentions toward the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), co-owned by Tony Stewart. The Tony Stewart SRX controversy reached a pivotal moment this week as NASCAR President Steve Phelps addressed the allegations and outlined his stance during an ongoing jury trial.
Leaked Messages Spark Outrage over SRX Series
November proved an eventful month for NASCAR, impacting both the sport’s image and its leadership. While the season ended with Denny Hamlin’s painful loss to Kyle Larson, attention soon veered off the track following a damaging leak of text messages from the organization’s top brass. These exchanges exposed internal discussions about “putting a knife” in the SRX series, which many saw as a direct threat to Tony Stewart and his fellow SRX partners.
The timing added fuel to public suspicion: the SRX series, having struggled financially, was officially discontinued around the same period that the controversial texts were revealed. This overlap prompted fans and some insiders to speculate about underhanded tactics by NASCAR’s leadership to eliminate a potential rival, especially given Stewart’s status as a three-time Cup Series champion and a beloved figure in racing.
Steve Phelps Confronted in Court
As the charter lawsuit trial began, scrutiny intensified around Phelps and fellow executives. During his court appearance, Phelps was cross-examined about the harsh language in the leaked messages and his feelings towards the SRX series. When questioned about the potential similarities between NASCAR and SRX, Phelps responded candidly:
“Phelps said he was ‘frustrated that our owners were racing in a series that was using sponsors, colors and livery that looked an awful lot like NASCAR.’”
— Steve Phelps, NASCAR President
The quote highlighted his concern that the SRX’s branding and commercial presence could blur the lines between the two racing organizations, leading to potential confusion for sponsors and fans. The revelation did little to ease public criticism, as many interpreted his remarks as evidence of a competitive front rather than fair market rivalry.
Financial Pressures and Leadership Criticism
Beyond the SRX controversy, the trial revealed detailed financial figures within NASCAR’s leadership. According to public updates by journalist Bob Pockrass, Phelps’s annual salary was reported at $1.6 million, with an opportunity for a bonus up to $3.25 million. Elsewhere, the commissioner received a yearly base pay of $2.5 million and could earn an equivalent bonus. These disclosures drew ire from those aware that most racing teams report regular financial losses, further straining the relationship between leadership and the racing community.
Additionally, Phelps testified about the distribution of NASCAR’s revenue, explaining that 75% of the $400 million made from 2021 to 2024 went towards taxes, which he attributed to the sport’s status as an S tier organization. This statement attempted to justify both the high earnings of executives and the limited financial gains for teams and owners.
Exclusive Practices and the Path Ahead
During further questioning, Kessler pressed Phelps about how NASCAR’s exclusivity rules were designed, probing whether the leadership deliberately worked to exclude rivals from the marketplace. While Phelps maintained that he could not recall the genesis of all clauses and was not personally involved in every negotiation, he stood by his decisions amid intensifying calls for transparency.
The Tony Stewart SRX controversy has struck a nerve across the racing world, spotlighting not just the intense competition among racing bodies, but also broader issues of governance, fairness, and the boundaries of business rivalry. With the trial ongoing and public trust in NASCAR’s leadership under scrutiny, the ultimate resolution could have lasting effects on how racing series coexist and compete moving forward.
Jeffrey Kessler asked Steve Phelps if he meant he wanted to kill SRX with the "stick a knife in this trash series" message.
➡️ Phelps said he was "frustrated that our owners were racing in a series that was using sponsors, colors and livery that looked an awful lot like NASCAR."
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 9, 2025
Steve Phelps has taken the stand. Mostly asked about early charter negotiations the the wasn’t totally part of. His salary as president was $1.6M with $3.25M potential bonus. Now commissioner it is $2.5M salary with $2.5M bonus.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 9, 2025
Phelps said he believes 75% of $400M in contributions to France family from 2021-24 goes toward paying taxes as company is an S Corporation.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 9, 2025
