Bass Pro Shops founder and CEO Johnny Morris has strongly criticized NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps following leaked text messages that disparaged Richard Childress, bringing the Richard Childress NASCAR controversy into sharp focus this week. The remarks have intensified longstanding tensions between NASCAR’s leadership and a pillar of the sport while raising questions about fairness in rule enforcement.
Recently, text exchanges between Steve Phelps and NASCAR Chief Media & Revenue Officer Brian Herbst surfaced amid an ongoing lawsuit involving 23XI and Front Row Motorsports. The messages showed Phelps using derogatory language such as “idiot” and “stupid redneck” when talking about Richard Childress, the owner of Richard Childress Racing (RCR). These revelations prompted Johnny Morris, whose company has sponsored RCR since 1998, to release a pointed statement condemning Phelps’ conduct and leadership capabilities.
Outrage Grows Over Commissioner’s Comments
The controversy intensified after Johnny Morris directly addressed the leaked insults, expressing serious concerns over the leadership at NASCAR. Morris, known for his longstanding alliance and friendship with Richard Childress, did not hold back in his admonishment of Phelps and those around him. He underscored the importance of impartiality in NASCAR, especially when enforcing the sport’s regulations.
“… the commissioner’s recently revealed contempt for Richard Childress makes it abundantly clear that he and his lieutenants are not capable of being fair and objective when it comes to impartially enforcing the rules and regulations…” – Johnny Morris, Founder and CEO, Bass Pro Shops
Morris also highlighted concerns shared by his colleagues, emphasizing that recent behavior by NASCAR’s top leadership reflected a worrying lack of respect for one of the sport’s most influential figures. Given Bass Pro Shops’ historical sponsorship of the RCR organization and personal ties between Morris and Childress, these comments carried significant weight across the NASCAR community.
He further asserted that such disrespect from a commissioner
“most likely wouldn’t, or shouldn’t keep his or her job for very long.”
The pointed remarks from Morris cast doubt on the credibility and future leadership of NASCAR at a time when the relationship between sponsors, teams, and governing officials appears especially fragile.
Steve Phelps Confronted in Antitrust Trial
The uproar coincides with ongoing legal proceedings, as NASCAR faces an antitrust lawsuit brought by teams including 23XI and Front Row Motorsports. During a recent session, attention shifted to the issue of commissioner conduct when attorney Jeffrey Kessler interrogated Steve Phelps about his communications regarding team owners.
had always shown respect in his texts/emails about team owners such as Richard Childress. – Jeffrey Kessler, Attorney (as referenced in court)
Phelps responded that, “by and large,” he had acted respectfully toward team owners in his electronic correspondence. However, he acknowledged sending at least one message about Childress that he is “not proud of,” admitting he has since offered an apology.
This acknowledgement by the commissioner under oath has only fueled further anxieties among stakeholders about the integrity of the sport’s leadership and the broader implications for trust within NASCAR’s ranks.
What This Means for NASCAR and Its Future
With the Richard Childress NASCAR controversy now under national scrutiny, the rift between well-established team owners and league officials has grown more pronounced. The divide underscores how critical transparent, unbiased enforcement of rules is for the sport’s reputation and future. For decades, Richard Childress and Bass Pro Shops have shaped the NASCAR landscape, and the current discord places additional strain on these foundational relationships.
As the antitrust trial proceeds and public opinion weighs on NASCAR’s next steps, both the organization and its leadership face mounting pressure to restore trust and demonstrate accountability. The situation remains closely watched by fans and sponsors alike, and its resolution will likely influence the direction of NASCAR governance for years to come.
Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris: “… the commissioner’s recently revealed contempt for Richard Childress makes it abundantly clear that he and his lieutenants are not capable of being fair and objective when it comes to impartially enforcing the rules and regulations…” pic.twitter.com/ThoQ4BfwTx
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 11, 2025
Steve Phelps was asked by Jeffrey Kessler if had always shown respect in his texts/emails about team owners such as Richard Childress; Phelps said that "by and large, the answer is yes," but he had sent one text about Childress that he is "not proud of" and had apologized for.
— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 9, 2025
