Beyond the Flag
Fansided

NASCAR: How the sport’s stance on the NFL national anthem protests could increase its popularity

By Asher Fair

LOUDON, NH - JULY 17: Teams and fans line the grid during the national anthem prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17, 2016 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
LOUDON, NH - JULY 17: Teams and fans line the grid during the national anthem prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on July 17, 2016 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
LONG POND, PA – JULY 29: NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
LONG POND, PA – JULY 29: NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty stands in the garage area during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Overton’s 400 at Pocono Raceway on July 29, 2017 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

NASCAR team owners respond

A few notable NASCAR team owners responded to the NFL national anthem protests and talked about what would happen if any of their employees started protesting the anthem. Here were Richard Childress Racing team owner Richard Childress’ comments about protesting the national anthem.

"“Anybody that works for me should respect the country we live in. So many people gave their lives for it. This is America.”"

Here were Richard Petty Motorsports team owner Richard Petty’s comments about the same subject.

"“Anybody that don’t stand up for the anthem oughta be out of the country. Period. What got ’em where they’re at? The United States.”"

Anyone who knows anything about NASCAR could have made an educated guess that this or something like this was going to be the response by many of the people associated with the sport.

President Donald Trump Tweeted praising NASCAR, its supporters and its fans for responding this way, and his Tweet got lots of attention, as most of his Tweets usually do.

NASCAR is in need of some attention right now, and it got it, which leads me to my next point.

Home/NASCAR