What’s Happening?

In the fallout of shocking comments made by NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps directed at owner Richard Childress, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris stepped up to the plate with a stirring three-page statement directed at NASCAR.

In late November, text messages from 2023, unsealed by the court, showed then NASCAR President, and current Commissioner, Steve Phelps, referring to legendary owner Richard Childress as a “stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.”

Childress, known for his outspoken nature, was not going to back down to these comments. In fact, RCR even released a statement saying they were considering legal action, though that has not happened as of press time.

The fallout of these comments has resulted in fanfare and support for Childress and his NASCAR legacy, and now, in a twist of fate, Childress has the support of one of NASCAR’s and RCR’s most well-known sponsors, with Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris releasing a scathing letter pushing back at these comments made by Phelps.

In his letter, Morris, who has, at times, sponsored upwards of three cars in a single race and, at times, even served as the title sponsor of the race itself, fires back, saying he and many others are “outraged by how Richard and his family have been treated by some senior NASCAR leaders.”

Morris goes on to call Phelps’s text messages “shockingly offensive and false criticisms” of Childress, saying that this is an attack on “one of the pillars of the sport.”

The 77-year-old businessman and conservationist even says that Phelps’s comments have damaged not just his reputation, but that of NASCAR.

“The commissioner has repeatedly labeled Richard as “an idiot,” a “dinosaur,” “a stupid redneck” and a “clown.” 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.” — Johnny Morris

In closing, Morris seemingly calls for a settlement in the ongoing antitrust lawsuit between NASCAR and two of its teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.

“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,” Morris wrote.

Bass Pro Shops in NASCAR

Bass Pro Shops made its sponsorship debut in NASCAR on the hood of Dale Earnhardt’s Richard Childress Racing No. 3 in the 1998 Winston All-Star Race. Though the brand would not return to RCR or the sport as a primary sponsor until the 2004 Daytona 500, it has since grown to a staple of NASCAR.

This includes sponsorship of multiple drivers across OEMs throughout the past two decades, including multiple seasons in which they served as the primary sponsor for several drivers. Furthermore, the chain of outdoor retail stores also serves as the title sponsor for NASCAR’s iconic night race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The fallout of the letter from Morris in the online NASCAR community has supported his stance, with fans feeling heard by one of the most consistent and powerful brands in modern NASCAR.

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Brutal.

In case you somehow missed it, NASCAR has been in court the past week and a half defending themselves from an antitrust lawsuit filed by two teams, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.

The antitrust lawsuit accuses NASCAR of using unlawful conduct to protect its monopoly on premier stock car racing, with the teams taking issue with (among other things) the charter deal offered by the series back in 2024 and the fact that NASCAR owns the majority of the tracks it races at, while having exclusivity agreements with those tracks to prevent a viable competitor series from forming.

It’s been an explosive couple of weeks, and at times has been pretty embarrassing for NASCAR and its executives.

Before the trial even started, text messages were revealed between NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps calling team owner Richard Childress a “stupid redneck” and that he needs to be “taken out back and flogged.”

And during the trial, Phelps and other NASCAR executives have been forced to face team owners like Childress and Joe Gibbs Racing President Heather Gibbs who testified that NASCAR “had a gun to their head” and forced them to sign a charter agreement that they felt was unfair by sending them an agreement and forcing them to sign it within hours while threatening to take their charters if they didn’t agree.

It’s a big mess for NASCAR, made worse by the fact that 23XI is owned by one of the most famous athletes in the world, Michael Jordan, who testified in the trial late last week.

No matter who wins, the lawsuit and trial have done serious damage to NASCAR’s public perception, especially after seeing communications from NASCAR executives that shows them seemingly working against – and insulting – the teams that it relies on week in and week out to put on a show.

But now, even the sponsors are speaking out.

Johnny Morris, the CEO and co-founder of Bass Pro Shops, just released a blistering letter calling out Phelps and NASCAR leadership for the way they talk about those in the sport, especially their comments on Richard Childress:

“As I write this today, 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…

The commissioner has repeatedly labeled Richard as “an idiot,” a “dinosaur,” “a stupid redneck” and a “clown.” 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.”

Morris didn’t come out and say it, but it sounds like he’s strongly suggesting that NASCAR needs to fire Steve Phelps, calling his comments a threat to 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.”

Of course sponsors are the lifeblood of NASCAR: Everything is sponsored, from the teams themselves to the gas that they use to the white flag lap of the race. And Bass Pro Shop is one of the biggest sponsors that NASCAR has. They not only sponsor the #3 car for Richard Childress Racing driver Austin Dillon, but also the #19 Joe Gibbs Racing car of Chase Briscoe, as well as the annual night race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

You’ve got to think that of everybody who’s spoken out against NASCAR, a major sponsor like Bass Pro probably scares and upsets the sport’s leadership more than just about anybody, because implicit in the criticism is the threat of pulling their sponsorship from the sport. And once one sponsor leaves, it’s only going to create a domino effect that could seriously damage NASCAR.

It’s nice to see Morris speaking up, not only for his friend but for the sport, after the embarrassing texts from NASCAR leadership. Throughout this whole trial, it’s looked to me like NASCAR leadership sits in their ivory tower and rules with an iron fist, and that they need a reminder of where their priorities should be.

There is a new storm brewing in Daytona, and for once, it has nothing to do with the weather off the Florida coast. This hurricane is man-made, born from unsealed text messages and fueled by a sense of betrayal that cuts to the very bone of stock car racing. Johnny Morris, the billionaire founder of Bass Pro Shops and a man who has poured his heart and wallet into this sport for decades, has finally seen enough.

In a move that has sent shockwaves from the garage area to the boardroom, Morris penned a scorching open letter addressing the disparaging comments made by NASCAR leadership regarding Richard Childress. This isn’t just a sponsor dispute. This is a battle for the soul of the sport, and Morris is leading the charge.

Morris Defends a Legend Under Fire

For those who haven’t been following the legal drama between 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and the sanctioning body, the discovery process unearthing private communications has been ugly. But nothing prepared the garage for the vitriol directed at Richard Childress. NASCAR President Steve Phelps, in texts that have now become public record, referred to the legendary team owner as a “redneck,” an “idiot,” and a “dinosaur.”

To call Richard Childress a man who went from selling peanuts in the grandstands to owning one of the most successful organizations in history a “clown” is a miscalculation of massive proportions. And Morris wasn’t about to let it slide.Morris and Childress share more than just a business relationship. They are cut from the same cloth.

They are outdoorsmen, conservationists, and self-made men who understand the blue-collar heartbeat of America. When Morris read those insults, he didn’t just see an attack on a business partner. He saw an attack on his friend and the entire demographic that keeps NASCAR alive.

The Texts That Sparked the Outrage

The specific language used by the NASCAR brass is what truly ignited this firestorm. Calling a team owner who fielded cars for Dale Earnhardt Sr. a “malcontent” who needs to be “flogged” suggests a level of disdain that is hard to stomach. It reinforces the terrified whisper that has circulated through the motorhome lot for years: the suits in the high-rise don’t respect the people who built the sport on the ground.

Morris didn’t mince words in his response. He called the criticisms “shockingly offensive and false.” But he went further, framing the insults as a direct affront to the conservation community and the millions of hunters and anglers who view Childress as a hero. By attacking Childress, Morris argues, leadership is attacking the very customers they claim to value.

Morris Calls for Accountability in the Tower

Perhaps the most explosive part of the letter is what Morris implies regarding Steve Phelps’ future. He draws a sharp parallel to other major sports leagues, asking what would happen if the MLB Commissioner was caught trash-talking Willie Mays or Hank Aaron. The answer, as Morris bluntly puts it, is that they “wouldn’t, or shouldn’t, keep his or her job for very long.”

That is a shot across the bow. Morris represents one of the most significant financial pillars in the sport. Bass Pro Shops sponsors to the No. 19 (Chase Briscoe) and No. 3 (Austin Dillon) has influence that stretches across every series. When a partner with that kind of leverage suggests a change in leadership is necessary, the France family has to listen.

A Warning to the France Family

The letter concludes with a plea and a warning to the France family. Morris invokes the history of the sport, reminding the current owners of the patriotism, faith, and family values that used to define NASCAR. He urges them to find a compromise in the ongoing charter dispute and to stop the bleeding.

But the subtext is clear: don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Morris writes that leaders “must never turn their back on, or abandon, the true pioneers.” It is a reminder that while charters and TV deals are important, respect is the currency that truly matters in the garage.

Final Thoughts

If NASCAR alienates men like Johnny Morris and Richard Childress, they risk losing more than just sponsorship dollars. They risk losing the identity that makes stock car racing distinct from every other motorsport on the planet. Morris has drawn a line in the sand. Now, we wait to see if NASCAR leadership has the humility to step back, or if they’ll keep driving straight into the wall.

Richard Childress’ partnership with Chase Briscoe’s current sponsors, Bass Pro Shops, has always been one of the most visible and enduring alliances in the NASCAR garage. For 28 years, the brand and the veteran team owner have marched in lockstep, building a relationship that grew far beyond a sponsorship contract. So when leaked text messages revealed senior NASCAR officials hurling insults at Childress, Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris delivered a sharp and detailed denunciation aimed directly at the sport’s leadership.

Morris began by reaffirming his affection for NASCAR and his decades-long friendship with Childress, noting how deeply he values the bond formed through competition, conservation work, and shared community initiatives.

But his tone shifted quickly as he addressed the outrage simmering among Bass Pro Shops employees, independent dealers, loyal customers, and members of the outdoor and military communities who hold Childress in high regard.

He said he was stunned by the disclosure of “shockingly offensive and false criticisms” made by NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps. Morris emphasized that hearing Phelps repeatedly refer to Childress as “an idiot,” “a dinosaur,” “a stupid redneck,” and “a clown” cut directly against everything Childress represents.

To Morris and Co., those comments dishonored a man who, in his view, has contributed as much to NASCAR’s growth and legacy as anyone in the sport’s modern era. He then turned to the remarks that spotlight NASCAR’s governance integrity.

“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,” Morris wrote.

North Florida Motorsports Park announced Dec. 9 it plans a 600-acre development in Nassau County.

A map with the announcement shows the park on undeveloped land north along County Road 108 west of Interstate 95 near the Florida Welcome Center rest stop. Access to the park is from County Road 108.

The park says it will feature a racetrack designed by Bobby Rahal, the 1986 Indy 500 winner and International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. Rahal is also a partner in the project.

The development would have trackside residences, a kart track, garage facilities and a private membership club. A hotel, spa and conference center are planned.

A map shows an RV park, shooting club and a watersports lake with a marina.

“This region has an incredible automotive culture, and North Florida Motorsports Park will provide enthusiasts with an exceptional venue to celebrate that passion,” Rahal said in a news release. “We’re creating more than a racetrack – we’re building a community.”

In addition to Rahal, the release said project partners include:

• NF Sports Development: Financial advisory and motorsports project development. The company website says it is based in Illinois and Orlando and “has professional racing and sports education on its core and targets the North American market.” The website says the company was founded in 2015 by former Brazilian Formula One racer Rubens Barrichello and Bruno Fusaro.

• M2 Real Estate Advisors: Real estate strategy and development. Founded by Michael McNaughton, the company is based in Ponte Vedra Beach. McNaughton is the former COO of Jacksonville shopping center developer Sleiman Enterprises.

• Atlanta Motorsports Park: Operational expertise and motorsports management. Jeremy W. Porter is the creator and CEO of Atlanta Motorsports Park, which was founded in 2012. The racing venue in Dawsonville, Georgia, is a “motorsports country club” offering auto and kart racing. It offers residential condos and villas.

The release says Rahal’s role will be “prominent, ensuring not only world class off-track facilities but also track design with world leading architects, delivering what promises to be a true driver and owner focused experience, from start to finish.”

According to Nassau County property records, the land on which the park would be developed is owned by Rayonier Inc. through Rayonier Forest Resources LP.

Rayonier is the developer of the Wildlight community in Nassau, where it is now headquartered. Rayonier announced in October it plans to merge with Spokane, Washington-based PotlatchDeltic Corp. and move its headquarters to Atlanta.

“This Project represents a unique convergence of passion and place,” McNaughton said in the release. “The trackside condominium concept offers an unprecedented real estate opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts who want to live where they play. We’re seeing tremendous interest in experiential luxury real estate, and this project positions Nassau County, North Florida at the forefront of that trend.”

The release did not include a timeline, development cost or the project’s architects and engineers.

“North Florida Motorsports Park represents a transformative opportunity for Nassau County. This project blends innovation, recreation, and economic development in a way that strengthens our community and elevates our region. We are proud to welcome a world-class motorsports destination,” said Nassau County Manager Taco Pope said in the release.

“North Florida Motorsports Park is the evolution of automotive lifestyle communities,” Fusaro said. “We’re creating an environment where driving enthusiasts can pursue their passion while enjoying world-class amenities and the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.”

The project did not respond to an email for comment.

Lionel Racing has revealed the ten best-selling diecasts from the 2025 NASCAR season, counting them down throughout the day on Wednesday.

In 2024, Dale Earnhardt Jr. reminded everyone just how popular he is when his Budweiser-backed Late Model car beat all other diecasts from the year. In 2023, Kevin Harvick’s return to the No. 29 for the All-Star Race with a recreation of his 2001 scheme on his modern Busch Light Ford Mustang was the best-selling diecast.

While nostalgia ruled the previous two years, 2022 saw Ross Chastain’s wall-ride car from the Martinsville ‘Hail Melon’ (complete with right-side damage) as the No. 1 best-selling diecast of that calendar year. In 2021, it was Kevin Harvick’s No. 4 Grave Digger paint scheme. 

Looking back to 2020, Most Popular Driver Chase Elliott led the way with his championship-winning No. 9 NAPA Chevrolet. Elliott’s cars were also the best-selling diecasts in 2019, 2018, and 2016, while the throwback scheme Dale Earnhardt Jr. ran in his final Cup start topped 2017’s list. Various Earnhardt cars also topped the list in 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

Now, here’s a look at the top-selling diecast from 2025:

10. Shane van Gisbergen #88 Trackhouse / Red Bull Chevrolet

Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Red Bull returned to the NASCAR Cup Series as a sponsor in 2025, and a Red Bull-sponsored car went to Victory Lane for the first time in over 13 years when Van Gisbergen won at Sonoma Raceway. Red Bull sponsored SVG in six races this past year. Along with a dominant win at Sonoma where he led 97 of 110 laps, SVG also carried Red Bull colors for his first Cup Series top ten on an oval at Kansas Speedway.

9. Josh Berry #21 Wood Brothers / Motorcraft Chevrolet (Vegas raced version)

Josh Berry, Wood Brothers Racing Ford

Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images

Berry earned his first career win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway early in the 2025 season. He did so in the famous Wood Brothers No. 21 machine, earning the historic team its 101st win at the Cup level. He bested Daniel Suarez on a late-race restart and led the final 15 laps to secure the win. The raced win version of this diecast is complete confetti from Victory Lane.

8. Connor Zilisch #87 Trackhouse / Red Bull Chevrolet

Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: James Gilbert / Getty Images

Another Red Bull-backed Trackhouse car! The teenaged phenom made his Cup debut at COTA in the Red Bull-sponsored No. 87 Chevrolet. That race ended in a DNF with Zilisch placing 37th (last) after colliding with the driver he would end up replacing at Trackhouse — Daniel Suarez. He ran the same paint scheme in all three of his Cup starts this year, placing 23rd in the Coca-Cola 600 and earning a career-best finish of 11th at Atlanta.

7. Kyle Larson #5  Hendrick / Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet (Phoenix raced version)

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Chris Graythen / Getty Images

Larson didn’t win the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. However, third was enough to secure him the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series title over Denny Hamlin. This raced version is an exact replica of the car he drove to his second Cup Series championship in November.

6. Kyle Larson #5 Hendrick / Hendrickcars.com championship Chevrolet

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Meg Oliphant / Getty Images

This special edition car looks almost identical to Larson’s usual No. 5 Chevrolet, with the added yellow windshield banner and yellow rear spoiler for the playoffs. However, the big difference here is the fact that the No. 5 on the roof has been replaced with an icon that reads ‘NASCAR Cup Series champion.’

5. William Byron #24 Hendrick / Axalta Daytona 500 win Chevrolet (raced version)

William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Mike Ehrmann – Getty Images

William Byron became just the fifth driver to win back-to-back Daytona 500s with his victory in the 2025 season-opener. It was an unlikely victory as he wasn’t even a true factor at the white flag, but when the top five runners crashed into each other on the backstretch, he squeezed by to capture the checkered flag. This raced win version will include marks on the car’s body from the thrilling crown jewel event, and confetti from Victory Lane across the top of the car.

4. Chase Elliott #9 Hendrick / NAPA Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta win Chevrolet (raced version)

Chase Elliott, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Krista Jasso / Getty Images

Another raced win Hendrick Motorsports diecast, but this time it’s the sport’s Most Popular Driver. Chase Elliott escaped the race-halting pileup that took out half the field, and out-dueled Brad Keselowski to earn the victory at his home track this past summer. The special paint scheme was designed by 11-year-old Rhealynn Mills.

Corey LaJoie, Rick Ware Racing Ford, Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota, Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

This year, JR Motorsports (co-owned by Dale Jr. and sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller) made their debut in the Cup Series. A championship-winning organization in the secondary level of the sport, they brought in 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Justin Allgaier who raced his way into the Daytona 500 in an emotional moment for JRM. And despite sustaining left-front damage during the race, he soldiered on to a top ten finish. The diecast is the raced version, so it includes all of the battle scars and even a recreation of the bearbond tape on the fender.

2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Budweiser Speedway Classic Chevrolet Late Model

Photo by: Ted Malinowski/NASCAR

Despite being retired from the NASCAR Cup Series, Earnhardt still appears on this list almost annually. This year, he reunited with Budweiser to recreate the 2001 MLB All-Star Game paint scheme he ran at Daytona, winning the summer race in the first Cup event back at the famed speedway following his father’s tragic death earlier in the year. The paint scheme was fitted to a Late Model Stock and used to promote the Speedway Classic MLB game at Bristol Motor Speedway. Dale Jr. raced with the scheme at a CARS Tour event at Anderson Motor Speedway, placing tenth.

1. Justin Allgaier #40 JR Motorsports / Traveller Whiskey Chevrolet 

Justin Allgaier, JR Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

Yes, the No. 40 JRM entry from the team’s Daytona 500 debut made the list twice. First at No. 3 as the raced version, and also just the base diecast without any of the battle scars. That means Dale Earnhardt Jr.-affiliated cars swept the top three on this year’s list.

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