RCR Contemplating Legal Action Over NASCAR Text Messages

MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA - MARCH 29: RCR team owner and NASCAR Hall of Famer, Richard Childress waves to fans after Austin Hill, driver of the #21 Bennett Transportation Chevrolet, (not pictured) wins (RCR) Richard Childress Racing 100th Xfinity Series win after winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series US Marine Corps 250 at Martinsville Speedway on March 29, 2025 in Martinsville, Virginia. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

What’s Happening?

Following the release of text messages used as exhibits in 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports’ antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, Richard Childress and his team are considering legal action regarding comments made by former NASCAR president and current commissioner Steve Phelps.

In a statement from Richard Childress Racing, the team states that legal action is actively being “contemplated and discussed” for what they deem “insensitive and defamatory statements.”

These statements were found in a text chain exchanged between NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps and EVP Brian Herbst following an appearance Childress made on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio in 2023.

In one key text, Phelps said in reference to Childress, “Childress needs to be taken out back and flogged. He’s a stupid redneck who owes his entire fortune to NASCAR.”

In Monday’s statement, RCR claims that comments like these, “Reflect the way certain NASCAR executives have historically viewed and treated many team owners like Mr. Childress.”

Since these messages went public, fans and drivers, such as Jeremy Mayfield, have spoken out in support of Childress. With Mayfield, who has had his own run-ins with NASCAR, saying in a post on X, “If it weren’t for ‘stupid’ rednecks, those ‘suits’ wouldn’t have a job.”

Many fans have cited Childress’ impact on the sport through his ownership of Dale Earnhardt’s iconic No. 3 as proof that his work as an owner has contributed to the sport’s overall growth.

For more information on the comments made about Childress, alongside comments made by others in the industry, make sure to check out the article linked below.

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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 06: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on April 06, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Lionel Racing Reveals First Wave of 2026 NASCAR Authentics Diecast

What’s Happening?

Lionel Racing finally confirmed the first wave of 2026 NASCAR Authentics 1:64 scale diecast for Monday morning, with the line of retail-exclusive diecast featuring a new look for the new year.

  • This line will include six throwback paint schemes from NASCAR’s 2025 throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway. Though they did not release one in 2025, this move restarts an annual tradition of Lionel releasing at least one wave of cars carrying the colors of that prior season’s throwback designs.
  • Included in this wave of cars are Austin Cindric, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, William Byron, and Sammy Smith. Alongside these paint schemes’ debuts in the Authentics line is a new design for the packaging of the 2026 line of NASCAR Authentics.
  • Last season was somewhat turbulent for Lionel as, alongside issues with tariffs, the brand only released three waves of NASCAR Autentics, one wave of NASCAR Autentics Winners Circle diecast, and two waves of Haulers.
  • Lionel announcing the first wave of 2026 early on in the new year is perhaps a sign that 2026 could return this line to its regular release schedule. The post from Lionel Racing also confirmed that the brand will announce another wave by the end of the week, further hinting at a recommitment to the Authentics line.

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SPARTA, KY - JUNE 26: Chase Pistone, driver of the #9 NTS Motorsports Chevrolet, talks with his crew during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Series UNOH 225 at Kentucky Speedway on June 26, 2014 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Chase Pistone, NASCAR Trucks and Nationwide Series Driver, Passes Away

What’s Happening?

Chase Pistone, a former competitor on the short track racing circuit in addition to NASCAR’s National Series, has passed away. Pistone, now a successful Legends Car owner, was 42.

  • Chase’s brothers Nick and Tom Pistone confirmed the North Carolina natives’ passing to LegendsNation.com. The cause of Pistone’s passing is unknown. The family asked that media share the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, which is 988.
  • Pistone, the grandson of NASCAR legend “Tiger” Tom Pistone, made his way to NASCAR after competing on short tracks in Legends cars and Late Models. He would make his jump to NASCAR via the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2005, racing for Green Light Racing at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Pistone would continue his NASCAR pursuits in 2006, racing in ARCA and the NASCAR Busch Series. Unfortunately, these two starts, at Martinsville with the Busch Series and Iowa with ARCA, would be his last for nearly a decade.
  • Pistone returned to NASCAR in 2014, racing in a combined eight NASCAR Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series races. During this season, his final in NASCAR, the then 30-year-old scored his best National Series finish, ninth place in the Truck Series annual trip to Gateway.

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8 Takeaways From NASCAR At COTA

Three races in, the 2026 season is finally starting to show its hand. COTA shifted narratives, exposed weaknesses, and raised new questions about contenders, pretenders, and everything in between.

  • Has Shane van Gisbergen officially been proven mortal after getting outraced late at Circuit of the Americas?
  • Is 19-year-old Connor Zilisch already ahead of schedule after slicing through the field multiple times?
  • With three straight wins, is Tyler Reddick basically a lock for the postseason this early?
  • And how concerned should the 48 team be after a rough weekend for Alex Bowman?

From substitute drivers being forced into action to points gaps growing faster than expected, COTA delivered more than just a road course chess match. There were momentum swings, reputation hits, and at least one young driver stacking up enemies before stacking up results.

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