Richard Childress won't forget scathing words from Steve Phelps anytime soon

Richard Childress has not forgotten the personal attack levied on him by NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps that was unearthed during the antitrust lawsuit between 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports and NASCAR. 

In November 2025, it was revealed that Phelps, who is resigning his post as NASCAR commissioner at the end of the month, in text messages called Childress a "stupid redneck" who needed to be "taken out back and flogged" in 2023. 

Childress, 80, has been involved in NASCAR for nearly 60 years, and he hasn't forgotten the scathing words that Phelps wrote about him.

Richard Childress' response

"As far as the personal damages that came to me, if I tell you what I think now, you'd probably be bleeping me out," Childress told FOX8 WGHP in North Carolina. "So that is still to be carried on in the future, the personal attacks against me. I'm like an ol' elephant, you don't forget."