Richard Childress Racing shreds NASCAR executives over leaked 'redneck' comments, threatens legal action

After days of the NASCAR world talking about Richard Childress and the “stupid redneck” comments, RCR has chimed in. The NASCAR Cup Series team is thinking about taking Steve Phelps and Brian Herbst to court over the comments made back in 2023 and released as part of the ongoing antitrust lawsuit.

Steve Phelps, now Commissioner of NASCAR, was upset in 2023 over comments made by Richard Childress in the media. In those comments he said that Childress, “needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to nascar [sic].”

In response, it appears that Richard Childress Racing is thinking about legal action. They also ripped NASCAR in their statement released to the media.

“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.”

Clearly, RCR is taking this seriously and so is Childress himself. Could be more legal trouble for NASCAR before the antitrust trial even begins.

Richard Childress threatens legal action against Phelps, Herbst

Steve Phelps was messaging with Brian Herbst (Chief Media & Revenue Officer) when he referred to Richard Childress as a “stupid redneck.” But the “flogged” comment is perhaps, legally, more damning than the personal insults.

It feels like things are simply getting worse for NASCAR as this lawsuit continues. The trial is going to start a week from today. Barring a settlement between now and then, we are only going to see more information and likely more personal insults and other insights into things that until now have only been known behind the scenes.

Richard Childress has spent his life in NASCAR. Since 1969, that’s what his life has been. Racing is what his family does. Of course, Childress has invested in outside ventures over the years. Let’s not mention that Childress and Dale Earnhardt defined a generation. Arguably, they defined a series. The words from Phelps are harsh and unwarranted. Even in private messages.

NASCAR is going to have to answer for this. Steve Phelps has apparently apologized to Richard Childress ahead of time. That apology doesn’t appear to be accepted.