Yes, you read that headline right - as NASCAR prepares for one massive courtroom battle on December 1, it could soon be facing another major legal fight.
The sport is about to defend itself in an antitrust trial vs two Cup Series teams (the Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin owned 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports).
Now the preparations for that battle are now having major implications in other areas.
When a raft of 2023 text messages between high-ranking NASCAR execs were unsealed in the past few days, they provided fresh revelations.
The messages included NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps telling Chief Media Officer Brian Herbst that team owner Richard Childress ‘needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR’.
Not surprisingly, the fallout from those messages has been significant, and now Childress is considering taking his own legal action against NASCAR as a result.
Childress responds to Phelps text messages
A statement released by Childress and his team - via FOX NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass - read: “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.
“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.”
The latest revelations provide a fresh headache for the brass in Charlotte as they prepare for a courtroom battle which threatens to turn the sport upside down.
As yet that December 1 trial date remains in place with no sign of a settlement on the horizon. Meaning a very uncertain future for NASCAR and its teams.
