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Former NASCAR team owner embraces 'stupid redneck' message amid Richard Childress controversy

JHby: Jonathan Howard11/24/25Jondean25

Following the Richard Childress text message controversy, Matt Tifft is selling new shirts that every “stupid redneck” will love. Tifft is a former co-owner at Live Fast Motorsports and former NASCAR driver. He did not like the recent comments that were made public.

After his career was derailed by health reasons, Matt Tifft was the youngest team owner in the history of the sport. Back in 2018, Tifft raced for Richard Childress Racing in the Xfinity Series. He was elevated to the Cup Series with Front Row Motorsports in 2019 before a brain tumor took him away from the sport.

Now, 29-years-old and racing again, Tifft is not happy with how Richard Childress has been characterized. He also took issue to comments made by two executives in the competition department at NASCAR who maligned smaller teams in the Cup Series in a series of texts, including Live Fast.

As a former Richard Childress driver and team owner, the words hit Tifft hard. He made a video about his thoughts on the texts. Today, he released a couple of shirts based on those texts. You can get “STUPID REDNECK” or “CAN’T READ” in a satire NASCAR font and logo.

These text messages have lit a fire in the NASCAR world. When things are this hot a week before trial, you know it will only get hotter. On top of that, there might be more legal trouble. Richard Childress is thinking about taking Steve Phelps and Brian Herbst to court.

Earlier today, Richard Childress Racing released a statement. In that statement, the team addressed the text messages and harsh words. So, it appears another lawsuit could be on the horizon at this time.

“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 team said in the statement, via Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports. “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.”

Matt Tifft is coming to Richard Childress’ defense. A lot of people in the industry have spoken out about these texts. When this trial is over, how much unintended damage will be done?