Former NASCAR Cup series competitor Jeremy Mayfield blasted NASCAR executives and specifically Steve Phelps after he bashed Richard Childress as a “stupid redneck” and wished he would “be taken out back and flogged.”
Text messages obtained as part of the ongoing lawsuit between 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports vs NASCAR show NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps disparaging Childress. As shared to social media by Motorsport reporter Matt Weaver, Phelps said in communication with NASCAR’s Chief Media & Revenue Officer Brian Herbst, “Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to nascar.”
In another message, Phelps added, “These guys are short sighted and self serving. Childress is an idiot. If they don’t like the state of the sport, sell you charter and get out.”
Still in another message he posted, “Did I mention that Childress is 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 ass-clown.”
He reiterated his claim that Childress is an idiot while discussing the cost of NASCAR’s Gen-7 car’s underwing, “No different than the bike car – they all spent millions chasing speed under the car. He’s an idiot.”
There’s a lot here in this August 30 2023 text thread with Steve Phelps, Steve O’Donnell and Brian Herbst
There’s not great conviction in their broadcast chances in 2030/31 unless the sport is in a better place
They were really frustrated with Richard Childress at the time pic.twitter.com/a8lR7VxCsW
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) November 22, 2025
Mayfield initially reacted to these comments saying, “If it weren’t for ‘stupid’ rednecks those ‘suits’ wouldn’t have a job.”
If it weren’t for “stupid” rednecks those “suits” wouldn’t have a job https://t.co/YcIuKUn9SU
— Jeremy Mayfield (@jeremymayfield_) November 22, 2025
He later added, “Phelps & Steve [O’Donnell] dissing [Richard Childress] isn’t out of line, it shows exactly how far this sport has drifted from who built it. RC didn’t need NASCAR 2become who he is, but they damn sure needed him. U don’t disrespect a man who’s done more 4 NASCAR accidentally than they’ve done on purpose.”
Phelps & Steve O dissing RC isn’t just out of line ,it shows exactly how far this sport has drifted from who built it.RC didn’t need NASCAR 2become who he is,but they damn sure needed him.U don’t disrespect a man who’s done more 4 NASCAR accidentally than they’ve done on purpose
— Jeremy Mayfield (@jeremymayfield_) November 22, 2025
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