Noted conservationist and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, Johnny Morris, called out NASCAR leadership over the insults hurled at his friend Richard Childress during the ongoing NASCAR trial. As revealed earlier in court, NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps called Childress a “stupid redneck” back in August 2023, while texting Brian Herbst, NASCAR’s Chief Media & Revenue Officer at the time.Morris didn’t like the way Phelps spoke about the 80-year-old NASCAR Hall of Famer. Through an official company statement, the 77-year-old said,“We are extremely upset by the recent disclosure of shockingly offensive and false criticisms of Richard by the Commissioner of NASCAR Steve Phelps. For the Commissioner and his allies, to attack one of the pillars of the sport is incredibly irresponsible and a disservice to everyone involved in NASCAR and its partners, sponsors and fans.”“What Mr. Phelps may or may not be aware of is the fact that in attacking Richard Childress, the racing legend, he is also attacking one of the most respected leaders in America's conservation community,” he further added.Several fans reacted to Morris’ statement. Suggesting that any rift between NASCAR and Bass Pro Shops wouldn’t end well for the sport, someone wrote,“This is not a good look for NASCAR, Bass Pro Shops sponsored probably 45 cup race cars in 2025.”Another wrote,“The teams getting all kinds of unexpected help.”Here are a few other reactions to Morris calling out the NASCAR commissioner for his comments about Richard Childress:“If NASCAR loses Bass Pro Shops as a sponsor, that domino fall will speed up faster than a Talladega three wide,” a fan commented.“A sponsor, one that sponsors 36 races a year and an entire race, calling for the removal of NASCAR’s president is not a good look,” added another. “It’s time for Phelps to step down.”“God broke the mold when he made John Morris and Richard Childress,” someone wrote. “True men with integrity, class, and passion. NASCAR is on the verge of collapsing in on itself. Sad days are ahead race fans.”“This is a major shot across the bow. They just told nascar to clean up its act if it wants the checks to keep coming in,” another fan typed.Bass Pro Shops happens to be a longtime sponsor of Richard Childress Racing. To this day, the companies have maintained an alliance that was formed in 1998, when Bass Pro Shops served as an associate sponsor of the iconic No. 3 Chevy driven by the legendary Dale Earnhardt.Richard Childress reveals the true reason why he signed NASCAR’s 2025 charter agreementRichard Childress Racing was among the teams that signed the 2025 NASCAR charter agreement. However, he didn’t do it willingly. In an interesting revelation, the automotive tycoon stated that he signed the deal only to avoid losing his teams and going out of business.Permanent charters could help the teams build value while competing full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series. Childress is also in support of the same. However, with the current business model, he thinks it's not possible.“I would like for it (Richard Childress Racing) to be running 60 years from now, but with this current business model we can’t do it,” Richard Childress said.“I knew financially I couldn’t lose my Charter,” he continued. “We are a blue-collar operation and proud of it. If we didn’t sign the Charter agreement in 2024, we would have lost them.”The legal charter debate will end soon, giving a glimpse of what the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season will look like, operation-wise. For now, all eyes are on the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1, 2026.