23XI, FRM vs. NASCAR trial: Steve Phelps claims Next Gen racing 'is just better'

Has the Next Gen car made racing better? That’s what Commissioner Steve Phelps claimed in the NASCAR trial this afternoon. Phelps backed the Next Gen as an improvement on previous designs.

The NASCAR trial has covered a lot of information. Some of it has been talked about multiple times. But we haven’t heard from Steve Phelps until today. His take on the Next Gen car is sure to be controversial for many fans.

According to Adam Stern of Sports Business Journal, Phelps backed the Next Gen car as a success. “The racing is just better, so it has accomplished what I hoped it would accomplish.”

There is a lot of subjectivity in that statement. Most people would agree that the field is closer than it has ever been. Does that necessarily mean better racing? And better compared to what? 550 horsepower? The Gen 6 as a whole? COT? It matters what we’re comparing it to.

Phelps also defended the safety of the car in the NASCAR trial. “I believe this is the safest car in all of motorsports.”

To play Devil’s Advocate here, a number of drivers have been injured in the Next Gen car. Cody Ware was the most recent example in the Chicago Street Race. Erik Jones had a back injury in 2024. Noah Gragson missed a race in 2023 after a wreck. Alex Bowman missed a handful of races in 2022 after suffering a concussion in a wreck. Of course, Kurt Busch’s career was ended early, as a 23XI Racing driver, when he wrecked in qualifying at Pocono.

Steve Phelps is right that the car has held up to extreme wrecks. Ryan Preece and his flips show that the car can be safe and protect drivers in the worst situations.

NASCAR trial: Richard Childress to take the stand

We are moments away from hearing from Richard Childress in this case. Of course, Steve Phelps had some insulting text messages revealed as part of the discovery in this case. Those text messages, the infamous “stupid redneck” messages, will not be included in this trial. The jury will not see it as an exhibit.

Childress has remained somewhat involved in this case throughout. He has weighed in a number of times and generally has been on the side of 23XI and Front Row. RCR is not a party to the NASCAR trial/lawsuit because Childress felt he had to sign the charter agreement for his team and employees.

If we are going to get any kind of heated testimony today, it is going to be from Childress. He is a no-nonsense man in many respects. It will be interesting to see what he says and if it has an impact on the jury.