Responding to newly surfaced remarks NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps made about him in 2023, NASCAR Cup Series team owner Richard Childress is threatening legal action against the sanctioning body.
The disparaging comments, which Phelps sent via text message to fellow NASCAR executive Brian Herbst after Childress criticized NASCAR’s charter system during a radio interview, came to light on Friday. The texts emerged as part of the information being gathered in connection with ongoing litigation between NASCAR and two Cup Series teams — 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
So, what did Phelps say that enraged Childress? And how exactly did Childress — a NASCAR Hall of Famer and six-time Cup Series champion team owner — hit back?
NASCAR Commissioner Calls Richard Childress Multiple Derogatory Names In Scathing Rant
In the recently unsealed text messages, Steve Phelps made no attempt to mask his feelings about Richard Childress, whom he dubbed “an idiot.”
And that wasn’t the only name that Phelps used to describe Childress, who entered NASCAR as a driver in 1969 but is most well known for the six Cup Series championships he won as team owner for the late Dale Earnhardt.
“He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR,” Phelps said in the texts.
Ratcheting up the fiery rhetoric even more, Phelps said Childress “needs to be taken out back and flogged.”
Phelps wasn’t done taking swipes at the now-80-year-old team owner, however, calling him a “dinosaur,” a “total bloody clown” and a “pain in the arse.”
And just to drive home his disdain for Childress, Phelps hurled one more insult that brought his comments full circle.
“Did I mention that Childress is an idiot?” he said.
Richard Childress Rebukes NASCAR With Tough Words, Threat Of Legal Action
Naturally, Richard Childress — who’s never been reluctant to speak his mind — didn’t take too kindly to being ridiculed by a leading NASCAR executive.
In a statement issued on Monday, Richard Childress Racing made it clear that its founder and leader is less than happy about being labeled in such derogatory fashion by Steve Phelps.
“RCR and Richard Childress are deeply disappointed by the insensitive and defamatory statements made about Mr. Childress in recently surfaced text messages between NASCAR executives Steve Phelps and Brian Herbst,” the statement read. “These 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.
“RCR and Richard Childress are equally disappointed for the NASCAR fans, with whom Mr. Childress closely identifies given his humble and hard-working background.”
It seems as though Childress — whose Welcome, North Carolina-based organization fields the Cup Series cars of Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon — is preparing for a fight with NASCAR in light of Phelps’ unsavory rant.
“Mr. Childress and the organization will issue no further statements regarding these or other defamatory text messages that have recently surfaced,” the RCR statement continued. “Legal action is being contemplated and discussed with legal counsel.”
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
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) November 24, 2025
