TC Daily Pit Stop: Johnny Morris Issues Statement Questioning NASCAR Impartiality; Day 8 of NASCAR Antitrust Trial Complete
TC Daily Pit Stop: Thursday, December 11, 2025
Founder of Bass Pro Shops Issues Statement Questioning NASCAR Impartiality After Phelps Comments About Childress
Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, has been involved in NASCAR for a long time as a sponsor of Richard Childress Racing, among other teams. Morris has been a racing fan for much longer than that.
On Wednesday night, Morris issued a statement where he explained where his love of racing began, and why he feels recently unearthed text messages from Steve Phelps, where he called legendary team owner Richard Childress an “idiot” and “stupid redneck” among other things shows a blatant disrespect for legends in the sport, and that NASCAR can’t remain impartial in its rulings with race teams.
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Jeffrey Kessler Puts On a Clinic in Day 8 of NASCAR Antitrust Trial
There’s something simply magical about watching someone elite at their craft, showing off their incredible skill set. Michael Jordan showcased this for 15 years in the NBA as he cemented a legacy as possibly the greatest basketball player of all time. On Wednesday, Jeffrey Kessler, the lead attorney for Jordan’s 23XI Racing team and Front Row Motorsports, showed why he is regarded as one of the best antitrust attorneys in the country.
Kessler continually laid out traps in his lines of questioning, and without fail, the witness he was questioning would find themself caught in the trap. As he finished his re-direct of Jim France, NASCAR’s Chairman, and pressed John Probst, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer, and Greg Motto in cross-examination, NASCAR’s Chief Financial Officer, Kessler put on a true masterclass.
By the end of the day, Kessler possibly strung together some of the most entertaining pieces of testimony from his witnesses.
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Other NASCAR Headlines:
Sanchez Says ‘Shocking’ Big Machine Release ‘Strictly Business’
Garrett Smithley Returns to SSGLR in 2026 as Primary Driver of No. 0
Daniel Hemric Returning to MHR; NAPA Expands Long-Standing Partnership
WILDE Protein Snacks Joins JR Motorsports, Kvapil for Three Races
Childress Says Teams Had No Choice in 2025 Charter Deal; NASCAR Uses Improper Document in Cross-Exam
Kris Wright Joins McAnally-Hilgemann Racing to Drive No. 81 Truck
Tyler Tomassi Running Daytona Season-Opener with MBM Motorsports