Dale Earnhardt Jr. has gone public with his perspective on NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps after Phelps announced his resignation, stressing that the move could help the sport progress. Discussing the issue on his Dale Jr. Download podcast, Earnhardt shared his direct discussions with Phelps and weighed in on the controversy, offering a candid Dale Earnhardt Jr. opinion.
Resignation Amid Legal and Leadership Controversy
Phelps revealed last week that he would leave his post at the end of the month, following a turbulent period for NASCAR. The announcement came just weeks after a high-profile legal dispute hit the sport, as Cup Series teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports brought forth an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and the France family. The suit, which accused the governing body of monopolistic practices, resulted in the public release of private texts and emails that cast doubts on Phelps’ leadership approach.
One particularly contentious text, sent by Phelps to NASCAR chief media and revenue officer Brian Herbst, was brought to light through the trial. In it, Phelps made derogatory remarks about veteran team owner Richard Childress, stating he should be “taken out back and flogged” and calling him a
“stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.”
These comments surfaced after Childress spoke out against the Next Gen car and the organization’s ongoing media negotiations. When questioned during his trial testimony, Phelps expressed regret for the exchange and confirmed that he had apologized to Childress prior to the texts becoming public.
Earnhardt’s Personal Connection and Disapproval of Comments
Dale Earnhardt Jr., whose late father, Dale Earnhardt Sr., was a star driver for Childress’ team for decades, made it clear that he was personally disappointed by Phelps’ statements.
“I talked to Phelps about that. He told me he hopes this is a way for the sport to move forward if that’s what needs to happen,”
Earnhardt explained—Dale Earnhardt Jr., host.
Because of his family’s deep bond with Childress, Earnhardt shared his emotional response to the controversy, while acknowledging Phelps’ accountability for the mistake.
“I don’t mind telling you that I think Phelps is a great dude,”
Earnhardt said.
“I know what he said about Richard Childress is not cool, I didn’t like it, I don’t think that was a good thing to say about Richard. No matter what you think about Richard Childress, Richard is near family to me. I grew up in his shop, my dad drove his racecars, and we’ve got a connection and a bond unique to a lot of other people in the industry.”
Despite his admiration for Phelps overall, Earnhardt reiterated his disapproval of the language used about Childress and felt it was a significant lapse in judgment.
“I didn’t appreciate what Phelps said about him, and I would tell that to Phelps and Phelps would agree it was a dumb thing to say. We’ve all said things in messages that we would prefer people not to see but if you’re a guy in Phelps’ position, you can’t f*cking say that sh*t in a text message. That was a mistake on his own part. He’s owned it from what I can tell, and Steve Phelps will land on his feet.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., host
Backing Phelps’ Broader Leadership and Negotiation Efforts
Setting aside the incident with Childress, Earnhardt expressed appreciation for the way Phelps, alongside NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell, approached discussions with team owners in the recent Charter Agreement negotiations. Despite ongoing backlash, Earnhardt insisted their work behind the scenes favored the interests of the teams and the sport’s future.
“He’s a good dude, and he’s done some great things in our sport,”
Earnhardt affirmed.
“He’s shepherded our sport through some tough times, and I’ll know I’ll catch some sh*t for that, but I don’t give a sh*t, this is what I believe. … If y’all were paying attention during the trial, we all learned that both Phelps and O’Donnell were actually trying to get the teams what they freaking wanted. Aside from what Phelps said about Richard, Phelps and O’Donnell were kind of working to get everything right. I mean, f*ck.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., host
Earnhardt’s statements reveal a nuanced view: while he was critical of Phelps’ personal comments, he respected Phelps’ dedication to the sport’s collective well-being during difficult moments and negotiations. He pointed to the intense scrutiny faced by both Phelps and O’Donnell, especially regarding the plans shaped during the high-stakes Charter Agreement talks that affected organizations like 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and influential personalities such as Brian Herbst and Richard Childress.
What This Means for NASCAR’s Future
The controversy surrounding Steve Phelps’ resignation highlights the challenges facing top leadership in a competitive and passionate sport like NASCAR. The strong Dale Earnhardt Jr. opinion demonstrates that even those disappointed by leadership missteps can acknowledge positive contributions. As NASCAR prepares for new direction, Phelps’ handling of the trial and negotiations—despite personal mistakes—could leave a lasting impression on the sport’s governance, shaping relationships among teams, owners, and key figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr., Steve O’Donnell, and Richard Childress. All eyes are now on how NASCAR will move forward from this turbulent chapter and what legacy Phelps’ leadership ultimately leaves behind.
