The former President of NASCAR had a lot of insults aimed at Richard Childress
Richard Childress is the owner of RCR. They field two NASCAR Cup Series teams full-time.
In 2023, Childress made comments as NASCAR and the teams were working on a new charter agreement. NASCAR was not happy with these comments.
Behind the scenes, NASCAR had a lot to say in reaction. They even went as far as calling the legendary team owner a ‘redneck’ and so on.
The following text exchanges were between the then NASCAR President Steve Phelps and VP Brian Herbst. The exchange surfaced this week in court documents regarding the antitrust lawsuit.
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The following exchange took place in 2023:
Steve Phelps: “I agree with you. Did you give them some sense of how bad things are out there?”
“Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.”
Brian Herbst: “I didn’t go there – kept it high level for now.”
“Ongoing conversations, figuring out where all the puzzle pieces land, etc.”
“But happy to do so in future conversations – just didn’t know if now was the time to provide a dose of reality or not.”
Steve Phelps: “10-4. How’s it going thus far?”
Brian Herbst: “Getting a little testy. OD doing a great job on the hot seat, but there’s a lot of ‘we’ll discuss internally’, ‘want to get together in a room’, etc.”
Steve Phelps: “These guys are short sighted and self serving. Childress is an idiot. If they don’t like the state of the sport, sell you charter and get out.”
Brian Herbst: “Newmark and Custer both thought the TV level set (into the future) was a good idea.”
“We can add that to the tactical next steps.”
Steve Phelps: “Insole to Newmark about it yesterday. Told him we would do a good media deal this go around but I was terrified about the next one – particularly if we don’t come together. I also spoke to Justin Marks about it.”
“I spoke to the existing media market and how challenging it is – but was confident that we would end up in a good place. Maybe not what we had originally planned but in the ballpark.”
“I assume the meeting has concluded?”
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After the meeting…
Brian Herbst: “Newmark did talk about your conversation, he thought it was really insightful. Glad you spoke with Justin as well.”
“And yes – meeting wrapped. Just doing post meetings catch-ups.”
Steve Phelps: “Did I mention that Childress is an idiot?”
Brian Herbst: “Just listened to the hit. He is an idiot.”
“So many false claims and/or disingenuous statements.”
Steve Phelps: “If he’s that angry (and apparently his is) sign your charter extension and sell. He’s not smart – is a dinosaur – and a malcontent. He’s worth a couple hundred million dollars – every dollar associated with NASCAR in some fashion. Total ass-clown.”
In 2025, Steve Phelps is now the commissioner of NASCAR.
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