Richard Childress Racing is considering legal action after leaked texts revealed derogatory remarks by NASCAR executives amid an ongoing antitrust lawsuit.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β Longtime NASCARΒ team owner Richard Childress is considering legal action after leaked text messages showed the sport’s commissioner making derogatory comments about him, his organization announced Tuesday.
Richard Childress Racing said it is discussing potential legal action with counsel following the revelation of text messages in which NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps said Childress “needs to be taken out back and flogged” and called him “a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to nascar.”
“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 organization said in a statement.
The texts were disclosed as part of an ongoing federal antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against NASCAR. The conversation between Phelps and other NASCAR officials concerned the sport’s charter system, which is at the center of the legal dispute.
Additional messages show Spire Motorsports co-owner Jeff Dickerson using a derogatory term about Childress for his appearances with President Donald Trump, and NASCAR officials expressing frustration about interest in the now-defunct SRX racing series.
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Childress, 80, is one of NASCAR’s most successful team owners, with six Cup Series championships as a car owner for the late Dale Earnhardt. His organization has competed in NASCAR since 1969. Two-time series champion Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon, Childress’ grandson, compete for RCR in the Cup Series.
RCR said the comments reflect how 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.”
The statement added that Childress and the organization are “equally disappointed for the NASCAR fans, with whom Mr. Childress closely identifies given his humble and hard-working background.”
RCR said it would issue no further statements “as legal action is being contemplated and discussed with legal counsel.”
The leaked messages emerged as part of the lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing, co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan and driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports. The teams are challenging NASCAR’s charter system and business practices.
Earlier this month, a federal judgeΒ ruled in favor of the two race teams on a key issue, finding that NASCAR controls the market for “premier stock-car racing.” The trial is scheduled to begin Dec. 1.
Most teams that signed charter agreements last year have submitted court declarations supporting a settlement, concerned that NASCAR’s entire framework could be dismantled if the sanctioning body loses at trial.
NASCAR did not immediately respond to comment on the situation.Β
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