Brian France ‘surprised’ about diversity concerns after Trump endorsement
Brian France was apparently not anticipating any backlash regarding NASCAR’s diversity programs and his endorsement of Donald Trump.
The NASCAR CEO told the Associated Press that he was “very surprised” when NASCAR’s diversity efforts came under scrutiny after he took the stage at a Donald Trump rally last week and endorsed the Republican presidential candidate.
“I was frankly, very surprised, that my diversity efforts for my whole career would have been called into question, over this, in my view, a routine endorsement,” France told the AP.
NASCAR has created the Drive for Diversity and a series in Mexico under France’s watch. Much of Trump’s campaign has centered around the construction of a wall between the United States and Mexico. But not only that, NASCAR had previously pulled its 2015 postseason events from Trump properties because of comments the candidate made over the summer regarding Mexican immigration.
France has maintained that he endorsed Trump – a personal and private endorsement, according to NASCAR – despite many conflicting viewpoints. And that’s likely true, very rarely do people agree wholeheartedly with a candidate they’re voting for.
But not agreeing with a candidate on all issues is one thing. Supporting a candidate who your company recently severed business ties with over inflammatory statements the candidate made seven months prior is another.
NASCAR made the decision to leave Trump’s Doral resort following an open letter from Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of Camping World (the title sponsor of the Truck Series). Lemonis’ letter referenced Trump’s “bigoted and racist” summer statements and said neither he, nor any of his employees would be going to a NASCAR event at a Trump property. France’s comments about being surprised after his sport previously stood by one of its sponsors in the name of diversity make him look out of touch.
“I’m not supporting him for all of his views, or his immigration views,” France told the AP. “I happen to be very enamored by the excitement he’s brought and the voter turnout that it is creating.”
The AP story also contains a very interesting nugget about Chase Elliott, the rookie driver who appeared at the Trump rally with France, his father Bill, Ryan Newman and David Ragan.
A person familiar with the situation told AP that Elliott, intrigued by the election process, agreed to an invitation from NASCAR to fly on a NASCAR plane to the Trump event in Elliott’s home state of Georgia. It never occurred to the rising star to give his team or sponsors a heads-up, the person said, and Elliott realized he was in over his head when he began receiving heavy criticism on social media. The person spoke on condition of anonymity, because the person was not authorized to discuss the details of Elliott’s involvement.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
