Last year NASCAR Cup Teams 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports refused to sign the new charters offered by NASCAR.  The result has been an ongoing legal fight both in and out of the courthouse.

NASCAR claims that they do not have a monopoly on the sport…

The trial over the issue is set to begin December 1 and as the date approaches, numerous accusations and documents are coming to light from, by, and over teams and racing events.

In 2021, Hall of Fame driver Tony Stewart and Ray Evernham formed a new racing series they call SRX – a six season short and dirt track series that pulled drivers from all forms of racing.  A’ la the IROC Series, the cars were configured identically with the emphasis being on the drivers’ skill. 

During its three year run, SRX had young local short track drivers; Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series drivers; IndyCar; and even retired drivers participating in the series; including Chase Elliott, Bill Elliott, Ryan Blaney, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Michael Waltrip, Paul Tracy, and series creator Tony Stewart.

Pulling higher viewership numbers than the Xfinity Series – SRX ran on Saturdays for the first two seasons – NASCAR was not pleased.

Documents have come to light that NASCAR wanted to get rid of the SRX Series including the statement, “need to put a knife in this trash series.”

Speaking on the SRX Series, NASCAR’s Steve O’Donnell said, “actually, you have one of the voices of Fox in (Michael) Waltrip, an owner of multiple cup cars in (Tony) Stewart, our most popular driver for years (Chase Elliott) and one of our champs fathers (Bill Elliott) etc.”

He continued, “this is exhibit “A” that nobody gives a shit about what got them their careers. Pay em some money and they are all in. They guy who cried about safety every single day is in a box car without safer barriers and not a care in the world.”

The conversation continued with Steve O’Donnell concerned that “Junior” (Dale Earnhardt Jr) would join the Series.

A redacted name stated, “Agreed. N Wilkesboro and Bowman Gray next year with Junior and friends if we don’t make moves.”

The redacted name said, “but, need to convince Board that threats are real and we need to be bold (easier said than done.)”

To which Steve O’Donnell replied, “that’s the key -we need to have everyone understand that this could turn into LIV if we don’t play our cards right. We are smarter than they are – but part of the issue is they don’t have the facts and don’t seem to want to take the time to learn or maybe they just don’t care. It’s all about the money and feeling like they have been heard and are respected.”

He added, “the SRX thing is just baffling to me. Why don’t they get it – oh, they do get it and it’s a huge FU to us.”

In 2023 – the SRX Series final year – Denny Hamlin chose to participate in the series…and sent NASCAR over the edge…
In a conversation dated February 1, 2023:
Redacted name: “Oh great, another owner racing in SRX”

Steve O’Donnell: “This is NASCAR. Pure and simple. Enough. We need legal to take a shot at this.”

Steve Phelps: “These guys are just plain stupid. Need to put a knife in this trash series.”

NASCAR administrators did not stop with ending the SRX Series.  FRM  and 23XI were the only teams who refused to sign the new charters, but other teams had plenty to say about them…namely Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series owner Richard Childress.

In a conversation in 2023 between then NASCAR President Steve Phelps and Vice President Brian Herbst, Phelps said, “(Richard) Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.”

Later in the same conversation, Phelps said, “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.”

After the meeting, in further conversation between Phelps and Herbst, Phelps said,  “If he’s (Childress) that angry (and apparently his 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.”

Richard Childress still owns RCR and Steve Phelps is now the Commission of NASCAR.