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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 31: Michael Jordan, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of 23XI Racing looks on during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on August 31, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
NASCAR leadership is facing heavy pushback after leaked court documents showed Steve Phelps<\/a>, who served as President from October 2018 until becoming Commissioner in March 2025, used harsh words toward longtime team owner Richard Childress. The then-NASCAR president<\/a> called Richard Childress a \u201cstupid redneck\u201d and said he \u201cneeds to be taken out back and flogged.\u201d<\/p>\n The messages spread quickly and created a wave of anger among fans who felt the comments showed a break from the values that helped shape the sport.<\/p>\n The backlash grew as more leaked messages came out, and many fans said they felt disrespected by the tone of the private conversations.<\/p>\n Fan Anger Grows After Leaked Comments<\/p>\n The reaction became even stronger when another leaked message showed an unnamed insider saying, \u201cNASCAR fans don\u2019t all read.\u201d Fans viewed the remark as another sign that leadership was out of touch.<\/p>\n Another 10-page document featured messages between Jeff Dickerson and an unnamed person discussing a podcast appearance, talking points, whether Heather Gibbs is a \u201cplant,\u201d and how Dickerson\u2019s appearance on \u201cBusiness of Motorsports\u201d would torpedo the negotiations. \u2014 John Newby (@JohnNewby_) November 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Melany C. Aylor said<\/a>, \u201cAs a NASCAR fan that DOES read, I\u2019ve consumed A LOT over the past 24 hours. I have a whole new perspective of Actions Detrimental.\u201d Another fan, Garrett<\/a>, repeated his frustration. He said, \u201c\u2018Our fans don\u2019t all read\u2019 between this and the comments about RC, I\u2019m on the verge of never watching the sport again. Sickening that leadership speaks of its fans and owners like this.\u201d<\/p>\n Some pointed to what they believe the texts show about NASCAR\u2019s goals. PockrassPicks<\/a> said, \u201cNASCAR doesn\u2019t care about the fans, drivers, owners, or growing the sport. NASCAR cares about control. That\u2019s what all of these released texts have shown over and over again.\u201d<\/p>\n Jeremy Mayfield<\/a> gave one of the strongest responses. \u201cPhelps & Steve O dissing RC isn\u2019t just out of line, it shows exactly how far this sport has drifted from who built it\u2026 U don\u2019t disrespect a man who\u2019s done more 4 NASCAR accidentally than they\u2019ve done on purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n Even those who often disagree with Childress spoke up. Glazer<\/a> wrote, \u201cI dislike Childress as much as the next guy but he\u2019s done more for nascar than any of these 3 and to say something like this about one of your sports current owners is.\u201d<\/p>\n A NASCAR historian, Bob Ellis<\/a>, added, \u201cMan, this does not sit well with me\u2026 NASCAR\u2019s wealth is also a direct result of Richard Childress and other car owners and drivers\u2026 without them, there would be no NASCAR.\u201d<\/p>\n The reactions weren\u2019t just emotional outbursts; they reflected a deeper fear that leadership no longer understands the culture that made stock-car racing what it is.<\/p>\n For many longtime observers, the comments exposed a widening rift between the executives shaping NASCAR\u2019s future and the people who carried its past.<\/p>\n Fans Point to NASCAR\u2019s Cultural Roots<\/p>\n Another message<\/a> summed up the shock. They said, \u201cDawg NASCAR is so comically evil they\u2019re making people support Richard Childress.\u201d Someone else wrote, \u201cI hope Richard Childress takes off his watch next time he sees Phelps\u2026 Phelps is the kind of \u2018violence is not the answer\u2019 limber backed sissy that has ruined all of the blue collar vibe of Nascar.\u201d<\/p>\n Catch the fence added<\/a> \u201cRichard Childress was building cars and racing cars in NASCAR when Steve Phelps was falling off the monkey bars on his elementary school playground.\u201d<\/p>\n The reactions showed an unusual unity, with fans rallying behind someone they rarely support. It highlighted how quickly old rivalries fade when fans feel the sport\u2019s core values are under threat.<\/p>\n Why the Leaks Appeared in the Court Case<\/p>\n The messages became public through the discovery process in the antitrust lawsuit between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. NASCAR was required to turn over emails, text messages, and internal documents linked to charter talks and competition issues. The teams claimed NASCAR used its power to pressure them and to limit outside competitors. Because of those claims, the texts were added as exhibits to show intent and strategy, making them part of the public court record.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tDogli Wilberforce<\/a> is a sports writer who covers NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar Series for Heavy Sports. With bylines at Total Apex Sports and Last Word on Sports, Wilberforce has built a reputation for delivering timely, engaging coverage that blends sharp analysis with accessible storytelling. Wilberforce has covered everything from major football transfers to fight-night drama, bringing readers the insight and context behind the headlines. More about Dogli Wilberforce<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on NASCAR\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t
The\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/6iiR8EUhKv<\/a><\/p>\n