Bass Pro Shops Owner Johnny Morris implicitly called for NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps to be fired following his disparaging comments about Richard Childress being made public as part of the ongoing lawsuit between NASCAR and 23XI and Front Row Motorsports.
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
Now, in a letter shared to social media by NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass, Morris detailed how he came to be a NASCAR fan at the young age of 7 years old at his local track in Springfield, Missouri, the relationship the company has created with NASCAR, and the honor he and the company have of partnering with Richard Childress and his grandson Austin Dillon.
After briefly sharing these details, he then addressed Phelps’ comments regarding Childress noting that “way too many of my fellow teammates, our valued customers, our independent dealers and respected members of the conservation and military communities… are outraged by how Richard and his family have been treated by some senior NASCAR leaders.”
“We are extremely upset by the recent disclosure of shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR Steve Phelps. For the Commissioner and his allies, to attack one of the pillars of the sport is incredibly irresponsible and a disservice to everyone involved in NASCAR and its partners, sponsors and fans,” Morris continued. “What Mr. Phelps may or may not be aware of is the fact that in attacking Richard Childress, the racing legend, he is also attacking one of the most respected leaders in America’s conservation community.”
After noting the insults flung at Childress, Morris observed, “The fact is Richard Childress has done as much to build and promote NASCAR as anyone in the history of the sport! The commissioner, in all his rant, has only managed to bring discredit to himself and the sport.”
“Many of our teammates have validly expressed concern that the commissioner’s recently revealed contempt for Richard Childress makes it abundantly clear that he and his lieutenants are not capable of being fair and objective when it comes to impartially enforcing the rules and regulations that govern the sport, including the objective assessment of fines and penalties. This is a threat to the very integrity of the sport,” he wrote. “We can’t help but wonder what would happen if Major League Baseball brought in a new commissioner and he or she trash talked one of the true legends who built the game like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle or Babe Ruth? Such blatant disrespect would probably not sit well with the fans — such a commissioner most likely wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, keep his or her job for very long!”
Finally, Morris expressed his hope and desire for NASCAR to come to a compromise in the lawsuit with 23XI and Front Row Motorsports, “It is painful for all fans to watch the current conflict and division occurring within the sport we love. We hope the France family and team owners will reflect carefully on the damage that’s being done to NASCAR in the ongoing dispute and dig deep and strive hard for compromise. … One thing is for certain, as the leaders of NASCAR seek to grow the sport and attract new generations of fans, they must never turn their back on, or abandon, the true pioneers and especially fans who form the foundation of the sport we love.”
Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris: “… the commissioner’s recently revealed contempt for Richard Childress makes it abundantly clear that he and his lieutenants are not capable of being fair and objective when it comes to impartially enforcing the rules and regulations…” pic.twitter.com/ThoQ4BfwTx
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 11, 2025
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