Richard Childress didn’t need to say a word to get his message across.
His appearance alongside Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris at the highly publicized Army-Navy Game, a event also attended by President Donald Trumpprovided a quiet reminder of where his influence still lies as NASCAR endures one of its most uncomfortable moments in years.
For 80 year olds NASCAR legend, the timing was hard to ignore. NASCAR recently settled its antitrust lawsuit with Michael Jordan‘s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, agreeing to make the charters “evergreen” and closing a case that had dragged the sport through months of courtroom scrutiny.
Although the settlement came as a relief to many teams, it left Childress in an awkward position after becoming unexpectedly involved in the proceedings.
During his testimony, Childress was asked about possible discussions involving the sale of Richard Childress Racing, information he believed was protected by a nondisclosure agreement and which he never intended to disclose to the court.
Judge Kenneth Bell acknowledged Childress’ frustration, noting that the veteran owner “certainly believed the item should not have been in his possession.” The moment further strained an already strained relationship between Childress and NASCAR management.
That tension intensified when leaked text messages from NASCAR Chairman Steve Phelps became public.
In these messages, Phelps referred to Childress using offensive language, calling him an “idiot,” a “stupid redneck” and suggesting he should be “whipped.” Phelps later said he apologized, but the damage was already done.
One of NASCAR’s most powerful partners responded quickly. Bass Pro Shops, the sport’s primary sponsor for nearly three decades, issued a scathing statement defending Childress and condemning the comments.
Morris accused NASCAR management of disrespecting “one of the pillars of the sport” and warned the comments were irresponsible to sponsors, teams and fans.
Childress’s public alignment with Morris, and by extension Trump, carried added weight. Childress has long been open about his friendship with the president, introducing Trump at a campaign rally in Charlotte last year and hosting him in the Richard Childress Racing booth during the Coca-Cola 600. Trump has repeatedly praised Childress, pointing to his success as proof of leadership and talent in motorsports.
