New texts between NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps and President Steve O’Donnell have surfaced in court documents, revealing how the governing body reacted when 23XI Racing owner Denny Hamlin decided to take part in Tony Stewart’s Superstar Racing Experience (SRX). Hours later, veteran journalist Bob Pockrass shared his views regarding the matter on X.For more context, these texts were exchanged back in 2023, which was SRX’s third season of operation. The series was attracting prime NASCAR drivers and nearing its first season on ESPN, a former NASCAR media partner, after a two-year run with CBS.According to the filings, O’Donnell frowned upon the idea of SRX altogether. He texted Phelps,“This is NASCAR. Pure and simple. Enough. We need legal to take a shot at this.”One of Phelps' texts read,“These guys are just plain stupid. Need to put a knife in this trash series.”Pockrass shared these texts through another post on X. In his latest post on the matter, Pockrass wrote,“How I view texts from this lawsuit: The Steves are extremely thorough/pragmatic as far anticipating challenges to NASCAR business as well as understanding needs of teams … but also extremely sensitive that their efforts didn't generate what they'd consider loyalty to the brand.”The texts from back 2023 seem to have brought a new angle to the ongoing antitrust battle between 23XI, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR. Notably, the final hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 1.Steve Phelps comments on NASCAR’s climbing value amid recent lawsuit falloutNASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps thinks that no lawsuit or “anything else” can thwart the success of the sport. During the 2025 State of the Sport address at Phoenix Raceway, the NASCAR executive revealed that interest in the sport has only increased despite the federal antitrust lawsuit 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed against NASCAR over a year ago.“I don’t think a lawsuit or anything else is going to ultimately pull against the overall success of the sport as we move forward,” Phelps told the reporters via Autoweek.“Are there some things, comments that have been made on both sides that are unfortunate? Yeah,” he continued. “Are there things that Steve (O’Donnell, NASCAR president) and I said that we would like not to have made public? Yes. I’m sure there are things that 23XI and Front Row also feel that way.”NASCAR will be back racing on weekends from February 2026 onwards, starting with the NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1. Fans can watch the race live on FOX or listen to radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.