![\"Richard](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-1429416741-e1673038985778.jpg\")
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Richard Childress has purchased a PBR team.<\/p>\n
Richard Childress Racing said Monday that it is \u201cactively exploring all legal options\u201d after leaked 2023 text messages showed top NASCAR officials calling team owner Richard Childress a \u201cstupid redneck<\/a>\u201d and a \u201cparasite on the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n They were exchanged on December 13, 2023, only hours after Childress spoke on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio about his concerns with the ongoing charter talks.<\/p>\n Childress said NASCAR was \u201ctrying to take everything away from us\u201d and warned that teams might need to \u201cband together\u201d to protect their position in the sport. The leaked messages pushed an already tense situation into a much more serious direction.<\/p>\n What the Leaked Texts Said About Richard Childress<\/p>\n According to the published messages, NASCAR President Steve Phelps and Executive Vice President Brian Herbst discussed Childress shortly after his radio interview aired. Herbst wrote to Phelps, \u201cThat stupid redneck just went on Sirius and basically said we\u2019re trying to steal from the teams.\u201d Phelps responded, \u201cHe\u2019s such a parasite on the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n These messages arrived at a time when relations between the team-sanctioning body were already strained.<\/p>\n Richard Childress Racing delivered its response through a statement shared by reporter Bob Pockrass. The team said the comments were \u201cdeeply offensive and defamatory,\u201d adding that they were \u201cfactually false and damaging to both his reputation and the reputation of our organization.\u201d RCR said it is looking into \u201cdefamation claims\u201d and plans to hold those responsible \u201caccountable.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard Childress Racing\u2019s comments land at a time when the relationship between teams and NASCAR leadership is already under pressure because of the charter talks and the active antitrust cases. The organization has made it clear that the leaked texts were not only insulting but also harmful to a team owner who has been part of the sport for more than 50 years. Setting this context helps explain why RCR responded so strongly when the messages became public.<\/p>\n RCR says it is contemplating legal action over the comments in the recently released text exchange between Steve Phelps and Brian Herbst. pic.twitter.com\/BcJ1sbIPd9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n How This Connects to NASCAR\u2019s Ongoing Legal Battles<\/p>\n The leak adds another layer to the legal pressure NASCAR is already facing. The sanctioning body is currently defending two major antitrust lawsuits filed by 23XI Racing<\/a> and Front Row Motorsports<\/a>. Those two teams did not sign the 2025-2031 charter extension that other teams accepted in September.<\/p>\n The lawsuits claim NASCAR and the France family have run an illegal monopoly, limiting team revenue while keeping tight control over rules, sponsorship guidelines, and nearly every part of the business side of racing. The leaked texts may affect how those cases are viewed.<\/p>\n Why the Charter Dispute Made This More Intense<\/p>\n Childress has been a longtime critic of the proposed charter deal. The new agreement would give teams a slightly larger share of media revenue and make charters permanent, with removal only possible for major misconduct. At the same time, the deal would also block teams from freely selling or transferring charters after 2031.<\/p>\n With the Daytona 500 coming up, the situation has created one of the biggest rifts between a major team owner and NASCAR leadership.<\/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