Bass Pro Shops, a prominent sponsor in the world of racing, has openly criticized NASCAR following the latest Chase Briscoe NASCAR controversy. The backlash stems from leaked communications that revealed high-ranking NASCAR officials making disparaging remarks about team owner Richard Childress, igniting tensions just as long-standing partnerships—and the sport’s reputation for fairness—are under scrutiny.
Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, whose company has partnered with Richard Childress and his racing team for nearly three decades, expressed deep disappointment after controversial text messages involving NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps came to light. Morris began by affirming his respect for both NASCAR and Childress, referencing their years of collaboration in competition, conservation, and their shared involvement in community endeavors.
Public Outrage Following Leaked Insults
The tone from the Bass Pro Shops camp quickly hardened as news of the insults made waves through the NASCAR community. Many Bass Pro Shops employees, loyal customers, independent dealers, and sectors of the outdoor and military communities voiced anger in support of Childress, a figure widely admired in these circles. The leaked texts from Commissioner Steve Phelps described Childress in highly derogatory terms, using phrases that many felt attacked not only the man but also the values he represents within the sport.
Morris was especially disturbed by claims that Phelps had called Childress “an idiot,” “a dinosaur,” “a stupid redneck,” and “a clown,” labeling these comments as deeply offensive, untrue, and contrary to Childress’s contribution to NASCAR’s legacy.
Concerns Over Fairness and Integrity in NASCAR
Wrestling with the ongoing fallout, Johnny Morris leveled a serious accusation at NASCAR’s senior leadership and its ability to remain impartial, especially in light of the recent Chase Briscoe NASCAR controversy. In his public statement, Morris charged that the organization’s judgment is clouded by bias, referencing the leaked exchanges as evidence.
“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 that govern the sport, including the objective assessment of fines and penalties. This is a threat to the very integrity of the sport,”
wrote Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops.
Pattern of Questionable Penalties Fuels Distrust
The situation escalated further after recent incidents seemingly confirmed claims of inconsistent rule enforcement by NASCAR. At the Indianapolis race, Austin Dillon of Richard Childress Racing (RCR) received a one-race suspension for contact leading to a wreck involving Aric Almirola, alongside a five-lap penalty issued to Austin Hill for reckless driving.
Richard Childress publicly challenged the severity of these penalties, especially given NASCAR’s less immediate response to Austin Cindric’s incident at COTA, where Cindric openly admitted to causing an on-track spin for Ty Dillon. Although Cindric was eventually fined and penalized after the race, Childress claimed the lapse in prompt discipline suggested a double standard. This perceived inconsistency has led him, and now Morris, to argue that RCR, often seen as a blue-collar team, faces harsher scrutiny than major teams with more influence.
Deeper Issues and Call for Reform
Morris indicated that the controversy is not merely about a few disparaging messages but highlights a broader leadership issue. From his perspective, the inability to enforce rules equitably reflects a deeper bias within NASCAR’s highest levels, raising fundamental concerns about governance and the sport’s capacity to uphold fairness.
His forceful and public criticism stands as one of the strongest challenges NASCAR’s leadership has faced in recent memory. With the Chase Briscoe NASCAR controversy now linked to greater questions about the sanctioning body’s credibility and the treatment of teams like RCR, there is growing uncertainty about how these disputes will shape NASCAR’s future relationships and rule enforcement policies.
As Bass Pro Shops and influential figures like Johnny Morris call for more transparency and impartiality, the pressure mounts on NASCAR officials, including Commissioner Steve Phelps, to address the allegations and restore trust among teams, sponsors, and dedicated fans.
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
