A fresh storm has been stirred up after the revelation of derogatory text messages from NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps targeting Richard Childress. These texts were exchanged between Phelps and NASCAR VP Brian Herbst back in 2023 and refer to Childress as \u201ca stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR\u201d and that he needed to be \u201cflogged.\u201d<\/p>\n
Childress is one of the most iconic veterans of the sport and is truly respected across motorsports. To speak of him in this manner hasn\u2019t sat well with many. In a latest development, Richard Childress Racing<\/a> has come out and confirmed that it is contemplating legal action for this insult. Without a question, this is a mess that NASCAR will be desperate to get out of. But how?<\/p>\n Former driver Kenny Wallace has the answer. He said<\/a> on his YouTube show, \u201cFirst thing you have to do is get on your jet and fly up to Welcome, North Carolina, and get a meeting with Richard Childress. And it would probably be best if our leader, Jim France, did that. Starts at the very top. And then while you\u2019re at it, Jim, you might want to bring along Steve Phelps.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh, yeah. Bring along Steve O\u2019Donnell and have a little meeting with him. But then you\u2019re also going to have to do all this in front of the cameras.\u201d <\/p>\n Wallace<\/a> continued to point out that at the time, when O\u2019Donnell controversially said that NASCAR was going to sacrifice its old fans for new ones, and underlined that damage control meant having a press conference with everybody.<\/p>\n Richard Childress Racing issues statement<\/p>\n After the texts between Phelps and Herbst came out<\/a>, it was obvious that Richard Childress Racing wouldn\u2019t let things sit easily. As expected, the team lashed out with a seething statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n The statement read, \u201cThese comments reflect the way certain NASCAR executives have historically viewed and treated many team owners like Mr. Childress, who have devoted their lives to strengthening the sport for its fans, its sponsors, and all who compete in it.\u201d<\/p>\n Richard Childress Racing says it is contemplating legal action after text messages from NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps referred to Richard Childress in a derogatory manner, including saying Childress needed to be \u201cflogged\u201d and was a \u201cstupid redneck who owes his entire fortune\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/HhV7pp4Exw<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jordan Bianchi (@Jordan_Bianchi) November 24, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The tricky part about all this for NASCAR is that the trial date of December 1 for its antitrust lawsuit battle against 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports is fast approaching. To have this complication now adds a mountain of pressure to it.<\/p>\n