NASCAR trial update: Steve Phelps breaks silence on his explosive text messages about SRX in courtroom

The ongoing antitrust trial against NASCAR took a dramatic turn as Commissioner Steve Phelps broke silence on his controversial, leaked text messages, including one where he referred to the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) as a ‘trash series’ that needed a ‘knife’ stuck in it. Under cross-examination by Attorney Jeffrey Kessler, representing 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, Phelps was confronted about the incendiary text.

Motorsports journalist Adam Stern reported that Kessler in a courtroom asked Phelps if his message meant he wanted to kill SRX. However, he did not confirm this fact but offered an explanation related to brand protection and owner agreements.

The NASCAR commissioner testified that his frustration stemmed from the fact that Cup Series team owners were participating in the SRX when the series exists. He also specified that SRX was using “sponsors, colors, and livery that looked an awful lot like NASCAR.”

Sports Business Journal’s Stern reported on X:

“Jeffrey Kessler asked Steve Phelps if he meant he wanted to kill SRX with the "stick a knife in this trash series" message.”

“➡️ Phelps said he was "frustrated that our owners were racing in a series that was using sponsors, colors and livery that looked an awful lot like NASCAR.’”

Adam Stern

@A_S12

Jeffrey Kessler asked Steve Phelps if he meant he wanted to kill SRX with the "stick a knife in this trash series" message. ➡️ Phelps said he was "frustrated that our owners were racing in a series that was using sponsors, colors and livery that looked an awful lot like NASCAR."

SRX is a defunct short-track stock car racing series founded by Stewart and Ray Evernham that features retired and current racing stars competing in spec-style cars. SRX ran for three seasons from 2021 to 2023. In January 2024, it was announced that the series was postponing its fourth season due to market factors, and since then the series has not returned yet.

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Steve Phelps’ salary revealed in NASCAR antitrust trial

Steve Phelps took the stand in the antitrust trial on Tuesday, 9 December, facing intense questioning that delved into the inner workings of NASCAR, including the early charter negotiations, and was asked to reveal his salary.

FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass reported on his X account that Phelps' salary was $1.6 million as sports president, and his salary increased to $2.5 million as commissioner, with the potential annual bonus set at $2.5 million.

“Steve Phelps has taken the stand. Mostly asked about early charter negotiations the the wasn’t totally part of. His salary as president was $1.6M with $3.25M potential bonus. Now commissioner it is $2.5M salary with $2.5M bonus,” Pockrass wrote on X.

Bob Pockrass

@bobpockrass

Steve Phelps has taken the stand. Mostly asked about early charter negotiations the the wasn’t totally part of. His salary as president was $1.6M with $3.25M potential bonus. Now commissioner it is $2.5M salary with $2.5M bonus.

Earlier in the 23XI, FRM vs. NASCAR trial, it was revealed that Denny Hamlin earns $14M per year as a driver for Joe Gibbs Racing.