Richard Childress Racing considering legal action over NASCAR text messages
WELCOME, N.C. — Richard Childress Racing confirmed they are considering legal action against NASCAR over text messages between two of their executives.
Text messages between NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps and NASCAR’s chief media and revenue owner Brian Herbst showed them allegedly describing the longtime team owner in what the team describes as an “insensitive and defamatory” manner.
“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,” the team stated.
Their next step is to pursue possible legal action.
“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,” the team stated.
The text messages came to a light in a dump of messages uncovered in the discovery process of 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ lawsuit against NASCAR. The case is set to go to trial Dec. 1 with no settlement in sight as of now.
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Jonathan Fjeld View All
Jonathan Fjeld is the co-owner of the The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2010.
A Twin Valley, MN, native, Fjeld became a motorsports fan at just three years old (first race was the 2002 Pennsylvania 500). He worked as a contributor and writer for TRE from 2010-18. Since then, he has stepped up and covered 24 NASCAR race weekends and taken on a larger role with TRE. He became the co-owner and managing editor in 2023 and has guided the site to massive growth in that time.
Fjeld has covered a wide array of stories and moments over the years, including Kevin Harvick's final Cup Series season, the first NASCAR national series disqualification in over 50 years, Shane van Gisbergen's stunning win in Chicago and the first Cup Series race at Road America in 66 years – as well as up-and-coming drivers' stories and stories from inside the sport, like the tech it takes for Hendrick Motorsports to remain a top-tier team.
Currently, he resides in Albuquerque, N.M., where he works for KOB 4, an NBC station. He works as a digital producer and does on-air reports. He loves spending time with friends and family, playing and listening to music, exploring new places, being outdoors, reading books and writing among other activities. You can email him at fjeldjonathan@gmail.com