NASCAR relationship with team owner 'not mendable' after shocking text leak

NASCAR's relationship with legendary team owner Richard Childress is 'not mendable' according to FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass.

The recent antitrust lawsuit between the stock car racing series and two of its teams - 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports - is finally at an end following a settlement agreement earlier this month, but the impact of the case could be felt for some time.

There are deep wounds to heal on both sides after what was, at times, a bitter and nasty battle, and with a number of emails and text messages becoming public as part of discovery ahead of the trial, there are some who were not even involved in the lawsuit that took heavy flak.

One of those was Childress himself, who came under offensive criticism from some NASCAR executives in their private messages.

What was said about Richard Childress?

For example, in a 2023 exchange, NASCAR's now commissioner (was then President) Steve Phelps slammed Childress as a 'stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR'.

Elsewhere, it was also stated that Childress should be 'taken out back and flogged', and that he was an 'idiot'.

Richard Childress Racing reacted to the messages with a fiery statement, confirming they were now considering legal action.

“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.

"Mr. Childress and the organization will issue no further statements regarding these or other defamatory text messages that have recently surfaced, as legal action is being contemplated and discussed with legal counsel.”

Pockrass: Childress relationship 'not mendable'

In light of the settlement agreement between 23XI, Front Row and NASCAR, all parties are moving forward and looking to build bridges for the sake of the sport.

However, when addressing the lawsuit and its impact recently, FOX Sports' Bob Pockrass believes that NASCAR's relationship with Childress is past the point of repair.

According to Pockrass, Childress has been unhappy with NASCAR's current commissioner since a 2024 ruling meant that Austin Dillon [RCR driver and Childress' grandson] could not use his Richmond victory to make the playoffs.

Pockrass cites other incidents that have also inflamed the relationship, including fines of $200k for race manipulation in 2024, and suspending Austin Hill [RCR Xfinity Series driver] after Indianapolis this year, hurting his chances in the playoffs.

Add to that not only the text messages and comments above, but the fact NASCAR's legal team used a document relating to Childress that is supposedly under an NDA when he was giving his testimony in the lawsuit, and there's a lot of friction.

So much so that Pockrass believes this is a relationship that can't be fixed.