Leaked NASCAR texts spark outrage

In the midst of an antitrust suit involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, backstage conversations betwixt high-ranking NASCAR officials were precocious released and instantly sparked a backlash successful the racing world. The October 2024 suit alleges that NASCAR utilized anti-competitive measures, peculiarly done the charter strategy that controls squad entree and revenue.

Messages from 2021 and 2022 uncover Steve Phelps and Steve O'Donnell calling squad proprietor Richard Childress a "stupid redneck." O'Donnell besides mocked the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), stating that the bid draws a smaller assemblage than a "local ungraded track."

Reactions of erstwhile drivers

Mark Martin, the 40-year-old Cup Series winner, said helium was profoundly disappointed by the messages: "Very disappointing. We should beryllium giving radical who emotion Motorsport much of what they emotion and possibly the athletics would turn and pull much fans of each ages." He added that helium was disappointed due to the fact that determination were problems earlier Charters and the RTA, but helium did not cognize however each this could beryllium fixed now.

Former Xfinity Series operator Tommy Joe Martins said the messages corroborate what he's felt for years: "Every connection from everyone progressive conscionable confirms everything I've felt for implicit 10 years. It's not disappointing to spot everything; it's a relief. It wasn't conscionable successful my imagination."

Jeremy Mayfield pointed retired the insult to Childress: "If it wasn't for those 'stupid' rednecks, those 'suits' wouldn't person a job." He defended Childress, the legendary proprietor who has been a portion of NASCAR for decades.

Veteran Kenny Wallace added, "I've ne'er seen NASCAR successful this atrocious shape." In his opinion, SRX is not a existent threat, and the antagonistic comments successful the messages amusement bigger problems wrong the enactment itself.

The suit alleges that NASCAR constricted just contention and controlled teams done charter rules. The messages could go cardinal evidence, showing what officials thought astir extracurricular bid and squad owners. Fans and erstwhile drivers are present intimately pursuing the situation, due to the fact that the tribunal epilogue whitethorn pave the mode for changes successful the charter strategy and stronger competition.