Hendrick Motorsports makes feelings clear on Steve – Sports News
Hendrick Motorsports has revealed a stylish response following the announcement on Tuesday that NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps can be stepping down on the finish of January after 21 years with the group.
Phelps’ announcement got here within the wake of the antitrust lawsuit, which was filed by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports towards NASCAR, with each groups refusing to signal the new 2024 constitution settlement, alleging “monopolistic” habits on NASCAR’s half.
The lawsuit, filed in October 2024, in the end went to courtroom in Charlotte, North Carolina, the place a sequence of damning messages from Phelps had been unearthed, seemingly sealing his destiny. Ultimately, the case was settled after eight days, with Evergreen charters being the foremost speaking level of the deal.
Responding to Phelps’ resolution, Hendrick revealed a assertion later that day, saying: “We thank Steve Phelps for his leadership and dedication to NASCAR over the past two decades.
“He helped our sport navigate opportunities, challenges and periods of significant change while positioning it for the future. We appreciate his service and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
The final month has been robust on Phelps after some of his irate messages during constitution negotiations got here to gentle.
The most brutal feedback of all got here in a chain of messages between Phelps and Chief Media & Revenue Officer Brian Herbst during constitution negotiations with groups in 2023. At this level, NASCAR was additionally negotiating what turned out to be a blockbuster seven-year $7.7 billion broadcasting rights deal with Fox, NBC, Amazon Prime Video, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Phelps particularly aimed his frustrations at 80-year-old Hall of Fame staff proprietor Richard Childress, commenting: “Childress is an idiot. If they don’t like the state of the sport, sell your charter and get out,” earlier than including: “Did I mention Childress was an idiot?”
Later, Phelps would go on to counsel: “If he’s that angry (and apparently he 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 a–clown.”
The reveal of these messages not solely prompted Childress to threaten legal motion, but additionally drew the ire of main sponsor Bass Pro Shops in a public undressing of NASCAR by way of a letter launched on social media.
The following day, a settlement was reached between the groups and NASCAR, which included evergreen charters and the reinstatement of each 23XI and FRM’s six full-time rides as chartered entrants. It can be believed that NASCAR would have needed to shell out tens of hundreds of thousands of {dollars} to settle the case with each groups.
Fast ahead to January 6, and Phelps introduced he was stepping down, explaining in a assertion: “As a lifelong race fan, it gives me immense pride to have served as NASCAR’s first Commissioner and to lead our great sport through so many incredible challenges, opportunities and firsts over my 20 years.
“Our sport is built on the passion of our fans, the dedication of our teams and partners and the commitment of our wonderful employees. It has been an honor to help synthesize the enthusiasm of long-standing NASCAR stakeholders with that of new entrants to our ecosystem, such as media partners, auto manufacturers, track operators and incredible racing talent.
As I embark on new pursuits in sports and other industries, I want to thank the many colleagues, friends and especially the fans that have played such an important and motivational role in my career. Words cannot fully convey the deep appreciation I have for this life-changing experience, for the trust of the France family and for having a place in NASCAR’s amazing history.”
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