NASCAR has found itself uncomfortably in the middle of political division of late, and has therefore promised to “stay out of politics” and concentrate only on driving fast. NASCAR’s President Steve Phelps has said “We do not want to associate ourselves with politics, the left or the right.” But this doesn’t seem to be true at all. Or maybe they just mean certain types of unfashionable politics.
Days ago Brandon Thompson, NASCAR’s vice president of diversity and inclusion announced, “NASCAR is excited to partner with the Carolinas LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce,” adding “We look forward to working with CLGBTCC in support of its mission to foster equity, inclusion and economic prosperity for the LGBTQ+ community.”
And you thought NASCAR’s mission was racing and entertainment.
The Carolinas LGBT Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest sex-centric Chambers in the Southern United States and both organizations were proud to announce becoming 2022 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Partners. NASCAR boasts this is the first time they have partnered with a sex-based Chamber of Commerce.
It does make one wonder how this advances the NASCAR brand. How many NASCAR fans have been eagerly awaiting this organization to jump on the fashionable pro-gay bandwagon, like the rest of corporate America? Certainly, not many.
The National Football League already alienated much of its fan base by infamously proclaiming “football is gay, lesbian, queer, transgender and beautiful” earlier this year. Perhaps NASCAR did not want to be left out.
NASCAR’s announcement employed bold graphics proclaiming that gay politics and the racing behemoth are in lockstep ideologically. Essentially the same thing, all in together with each other.
Photo from NASCAR.
