NASCAR, the popular stock car racing series, is facing fierce criticism from its fanbase this week over a Pride Month tweet.
The organization posted a tweet celebrating LGBTQ+ rights, with the word “PRIDE” in large black letters framed by rainbow–colored versions of the word “NASCAR”. The post went on to state that NASCAR celebrates the community “during #PrideMonth and beyond.”
The response from racing fans was swift and overwhelmingly negative. Many took to the replies to blast the organization for going “woke” and declared they were no longer NASCAR fans. Others suggested the move was an attempt to score “woke points,” rather than to authentically represent the LGBTQ+ community.
Like many sports leagues, NASCAR has seen its share of controversies over the years, with racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination cited by both audiences and participants. With this in mind, the Pride Month tweet seems to be part of an effort to show a more progressive approach to inclusion.
However, this effort has seemingly backfired. Many NASCAR fans view the tweet as an affront to their beliefs and to the spirit of the sport, which has been viewed for decades as a more “ traditional” or even “conservative” form of entertainment.
Ultimately, NASCAR’s move to embrace the LGBTQ+ community has sparked debate about inclusion and representation in the sport. While some see it as a positive moment of progress, many more views it as a needless distraction from the high–octane racing that makes the events so thrilling.
For now, it looks like NASCAR’s Pride Month tweet won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Fans on both sides of the debate will likely be watching closely in the coming weeks and months to see if there are any changes to the organization’s stance on LGBTQ+ representation. Until then, racing fans, and pundits, can only speculate on the ultimate outcome.
You do not understand your customer base do you? Nobody is saying to hate anyone but why participate? Why not just shut your damn mouth and enjoy the money you used to make. Go woke, go broke. Sorry France family.
— E-Mo Drags The Interstate (@EMo_Drags_The_l) June 1, 2023
budweiser and nascar need to stop using the same marketing consultants.
jfc, guess we are drinking modelo and watching Indy now.
shouldn’t of been surprised, they only go left anyways.
— grift (@griftarino) June 2, 2023
And so we shall celebrate not hving anything to do with you anymore.
— Rhiannon (@EllDee369) June 1, 2023
