Richard Childress REFUSES to Forgive NASCAR Over Redneck Insult

NASCAR landed in hot water during the closing stages of the 2025 season because of the 23XI-FRM charter lawsuit. The private text conversation between the sport’s leadership, especially Steve Phelps were revealed to the public. Among other things, NASCAR executives brutally criticized Richard Childress and his work as a team owner of the RCR. Now, Childress asserts that he will not forgive the sport over the insults.

Steve Phelps even resigned in the aftermath of the entire legal lawsuit and the Richard Childress criticism drama. Reportedly, Phelps called the RCR team owner a ‘stupid redneck’ for some unforeseeable reasons. The 80-year-old was understandably upset from the whole incident and has reassured that he will not move on as easily as others did from the incident.

Richard Childress confirmed that he had talked to the France family regarding the matter, but his goal was not to seek out revenge. Rather, he wanted to build NASCAR into a stronger sport than before. Further, Childress had some colorful words if he were to talk about the personal damages from the leaked text conversations.

Despite NASCAR seemingly realizing its mistakes, and even Steve Phelps resigning from his role as commissioner, Richard Childress will not let go of the matter. He reassured that he will be carrying this into the foreseeable future and keep it in the back of his mind. Childress noted that he was like an old elephant and did not forget things so easily to let them go without any repercussions.

I have spoken to the France family, and my goal right now is to help everyone come together and build a stronger NASCAR sport. As far as the personal damages that came at me, if I tell you what I think now, you will probably be bleeping me out. So, that is still to be carried on in the future. I am like an old elephant. I don’t forget.

Richard Childress told Fox8 WGHP.

Richard Childress claims he will ‘honorably wear’ the Redneck badge

Certainly, Richard Childress is one of the most iconic figures in NASCAR and is loved widely for his work as a team owner. The fans have a great passion for Richard Childress Racing and its owner. As such, the 80-year-old opened up on the importance of the fans to him and how he will always honor the Redneck badge that was given to him by them.

Richard Childress sided with all the redneck fans of not only RCR, but also of NASCAR. Childress believes that they were the very few ones who believed in the sport and cheered on during every race while enjoying beer standing on top of their cars. As such, the importance of the Redneck people must not be ignored, and definitely not be taken in a derogatory context.

I think the race fans get me fired up. They keep me excited. One of them guys called me a ‘redneck’. That’s a badge I will honorably wear. I have got a lot of race fans that are solid rednecks and I think you can’t forget what built the sport was the people back in the day standing up having a beer at the top of their cars. Cheering and screaming and hollering.

Richard Childress added.

For now, Richard Childress’ focus is on the 2026 season and starting the season on the right foot. RCR has started the season on the right note as the star driver, Kyle Busch, achieves pole position for the Daytona 500. Now, time will tell about how Childress channels his frustration from the sport’s executives into the team and turns it into a championship-winning team.

Read More: Brad Keselowski Confesses Skiing Injury Wasn’t the “Worst Pain He Ever Went Through”

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW