NASCAR’s bizarre arrival at the center of a political meme

The viral “Let’s go Brandon” meme hasn’t slowed down, and it all started with an October NASCAR race shortened by darkness.

NASCAR is set for the first of two scheduled 2022 trips to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, the sport’s first trip to the track since last October.

The previous visit will forever be remembered for far more than the actual racing itself.

As darkness set in on the four-turn, 2.66-mile (4.281-kilometer) high-banked oval in Lincoln, Alabama on the evening of Saturday, October 2, 2021, following a multi-car crash, it became evident that the Sparks 300 Xfinity Series race would not be able to continue, due to the track not having lights. The race was officially ended after 107 of 113 scheduled laps.

With that, it was Brandon Brown who secured the first victory of his career. The 28-year-old Woodbridge, Virginia native had never been victorious in 113 previous starts. He had secured a career-high finish of third place at Phoenix Raceway back in March 2021.

As the driver of the #68 Brandonbilt Motorsports Chevrolet was being interviewed by NBC Sports reporter Kelli Stavast on the frontstretch following his victory, the Talladega Superspeedway began to chant.

Their chants had nothing to do with Brown’s victory, however.

In the weeks leading up to this race, fans at major sporting events (specifically college football) had been chanting a three-word, politically-driven NSFW phrase (“F— Joe Biden”).

And for the first time, or at least the first noticeable time, this chant had spread to NASCAR. However, that’s not what was told to NBC Sports viewers.

“As you can hear the chants from the crowd, ‘Let’s go Brandon!’” Stavast said.

It was obvious what was actually being said; interestingly, NASCAR initially posted the interview on Twitter. They later deleted it and did not provide a reason why they did so when pressed by reporters.

In other words, the reason for its removal was implied.

There were questions as to whether she actually didn’t know what was being said or she was attempting to downplay it, be it for the obvious political aspect, the NSFW aspect, or both.

Regardless, those unanswered questions ultimately didn’t prevent the spread of this viral meme, and in the six-plus months since, it hasn’t slowed down.

“Let’s go Brandon” t-shirts are being sold, “Let’s go Brandon” has become a political phrase often seen on social media posts, “Let’s go Brandon” stores are being opened, “Brandon” has become another name for the actual “B” used in the original “FJB” chant, and the chant has been heard at wider variety of events.

Somebody even posted a “Let’s go” sign above a road sign for the town of Brandon, Minnesota, and it’s not uncommon to see the name appear near “Regular 87” and “Plus 89”, if you know what I mean.

People who hear “Let’s go Brandon” know exactly what it has come to mean, and you don’t even need to know the exact NASCAR origination to grasp the concept. You don’t even need to know who Brandon Brown is to appreciate it. In fact, many don’t.

But let’s not forget about the actual racing this week. The Xfinity Series race, the Ag-Pro 300, is set to be broadcast live on Fox from Talladega Superspeedway beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 23. Can Brown defend his maiden series victory? If you have not yet started you free trial of FuboTV, do that today and don’t miss the action this weekend!