Richard Childress Racing Considers Legal Action Following Insulting Remarks from NASCAR Executives
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is contemplating legal action after derogatory comments about team owner Richard Childress were revealed in text messages between NASCAR executives, including Commissioner Steve Phelps and Chief Media and Revenue Officer Brian Herbst.
In a statement released Monday, RCR expressed disappointment over the “insensitive and defamatory statements” made about Childress, emphasizing the impact such remarks have on both the team owner and the NASCAR fanbase. The organization refrained from further commentary citing ongoing discussions with legal counsel.
The contentious messages surfaced during a federal court proceeding in North Carolina, unfolding as part of an antitrust lawsuit involving NASCAR and teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. Within a 2023 text chain, Phelps described Childress as requiring punishment and referred to him derogatorily, stating, “He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.” Herbst responded positively to these comments, corroborating Phelps’ sentiments.
These exchanges occurred after Childress criticized the media rights deal and the Next Gen car during an appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The current media rights deal, beginning this season, is valued at approximately $7 billion, while the Next Gen car, which debuted in 2022, has faced scrutiny from the garage regarding its financial implications for teams.
The background of the lawsuit emphasizes concerns over NASCAR’s monopoly and its economic model, particularly its charter system. Following over two years of negotiations, a new charter agreement has yet to be signed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, the last two teams standing outside of the accord as the September 2024 deadline approaches.
