On Jan. 6, NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps resigned, marking the end of his nearly 20-year tenure. His decision came after the settlement of the antitrust lawsuit filed by 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports against the governing body. Former stock car racing driver Rick Mast reacted to the news on social media.
The situation arose when both Cup Series teams refused to sign the charter agreement last October. Following that, they filed an antitrust lawsuit against the sanctioning body over a dispute regarding revenue sharing and a charter system. However, both parties settled shortly after Phelps’ testimony in court.
Additionally, the lawsuit revealed the damaging text messages the former NASCAR commissioner had sent. The messages were about well-reputed Cup Series team owner Richard Childress. Following this, pressure was created on Phelps to step down from his post. Rick Mast responded on X, writing:
“To everyone and everything that is NASCAR, the first ball has dropped.”
Steve Phelps joined the stock car racing association 20 years ago after working for the NFL and became the first-ever commissioner of the governing body. He launched new racing events, including the LA Coliseum and Chicago Street Course. Phelps expanded the sport internationally and also brought NASCAR back during the COVID-19 shutdowns.
The Former NASCAR Commissioner Got Candid About His “Frustration” With Richard Childress on His Chats Becoming Public
The antitrust lawsuit made Steve Phelps’ chat with Brian Herbst about Richard Childress public. The documents revealed Phelps criticizing the Cup Series team owner and calling him an “idiot.” Later, the ex-commissioner addresses his remarks.
The 2023 meeting discussed the new broadcasting rights, and Phelps got updates from Herbst. However, the commissioner trashed the six-time Cup Series championship-winning team owner in the texts. He said (via Motorsports):
“Childress is an idiot. If they don’t like the state of the sport, sell your charter and get out. Did I mention Childress was an idiot?”
“If he’s that angry (and apparently he is) sign your charter extension and sell. He’s not smart, is a dinosaur, and a malcontent. He’s worth a couple hundred million dollars every dollar associated with NASCAR in some fashion. Total a**-clown. Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR,” he added.
During the lawsuit, these chats were made public, and Steve Phelps explained to stock car racing journalist Matt Weaver:
“I have been told that Phelps had reached out to Childress before these were unsealed to let him know they were coming and that the messages were just a byproduct of his frustration during a particularly tense period of conversations about the economics of NASCAR competition.”
Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris was also unimpressed by Steve Phelps’s remarks about his decade-long partner. Morris claimed that the comments were “shockingly offensive,” “false,” and harmful to Richard Childress’ legacy.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
