Fiery text messages between NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps and NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell were revealed as part of the anti-trust lawsuit against NASCAR from 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. 

The messages were a part of a conversation between Phelps and O’Donnell when it was revealed that star NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin would compete in the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) — a stock car series with equal cars run on short tracks across the country — race at Stafford (Conn.) Speedway in July 2023. Hamlin went on to win the rain-shortened race at Stafford. 

O’Donnell messaged Phelps regarding the series, saying that “This is NASCAR. Pure and simple. Enough. We need legal to take a shot at this.” 

Phelps responded by saying, “These guys are just plain stupid. Need to put a knife in this trash series.”