NASCAR's Brian France Causes Stir With Public Endorsement Of Donald Trump
NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France last night "endorsed Donald Trump" during a campaign rally in Valdosta Ga., in advance of today's Super Tuesday presidential primaries, according to Hanna Trudo of POLITICO. Several "well-known drivers," including NASCAR HOFer Bill Elliott and current drivers Ryan Newman, Chase Elliott and David Ragan also appeared at the rally supporting Trump. NASCAR VP/Integrated Marketing Communications David Higdon "called France's endorsement of Trump a 'private personal decision by Brian' -- a comment that reflects the blowback the racing league suffered last year over its association with Trump" (POLITICO.com, 2/29). USA TODAY's Jeff Gluck notes Trump introduced France as a man who has done a "legendary" job with NASCAR. Trump also "beamed at each of the endorsements, saying he could not have been happier to have a NASCAR presence at the rally." That was a "departure from July, when NASCAR pulled its Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series award ceremonies from a Trump resort near Miami in wake of the businessman's comments about Mexican immigrants" (USA TODAY, 3/1). ESPN.com's Bob Pockrass noted Camping World Chair & CEO Marcus Lemonis wrote a letter to NASCAR last summer that "neither he nor any of his employees would attend the banquet of the series he sponsors ... if it was held at the Trump National Doral Miami resort." Lemonis took to Twitter last night and wrote there is "no place for politics/any political endorsements in any business. Your customers and employees should have their own mind" (ESPN.com, 2/29). Lemonis this morning spoke to SportsBusiness Journal's Adam Stern and further expanded on his comment.
TRUMP CARD: YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel writes France's endorsement of Trump threw NASCAR "smack dab in the middle of a contentious Republican primary." In the process, NASCAR, and sports in general, were "reminded of the dangers of wading into impassioned waters of the political world." The visual of a sports commissioner, "surrounded by current and former athletes, endorsing a presidential candidate in such an important moment was significant and unusual," but sports entering into the political stage "are not." What made this foray into politics "feel different was that France offered a sense that this was an official NASCAR stance, even if it wasn't exactly that" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 3/1). Radio host Dan Patrick: “This is a family-run business. It's not like he’s the commissioner -- Roger Goodell or Rob Manfred. This is different. They're backing Donald Trump." Patrick understood coinciding the endorsement with today's primary elections, but he said, "On the heels of Donald Trump reportedly not denouncing the KKK, not good timing there.” Patrick: "How does this help you? I'm going to guess your fan base already knows who you're leaning toward, but does this change anything?” ("The Dan Patrick Show," 3/1).
HARD TO KEEP THINGS SEPARATE: USA TODAY's Luke Kerr-Dineen writes people "can't begrudge anyone their own opinions, but make no mistake, there is nothing 'private' or 'personal' about this one from France." Kerr-Dineen: "This was a public declaration; France has embedded himself on one side of a debate while trying to appeal to the other. By choice, he has placed himself behind the eight ball" (USATODAY.com, 3/1). In Orlando, George Diaz sarcastically writes France's public support of Trump "sure will do wonders for NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program" and will "entice more high-end brand sponsorships." It also will "do wonders to engage a more diverse fan base beyond those stereotypical images of beer-swigging fanatics waving Confederate flags." Diaz did not buy Higdon's assertion that this was a personal decision by France. He writes, "The France family is the NASCAR brand. ... Even if that wasn't the case, would a Roger Goodell endorsement of Trump not reflect on the NFL? Would an Adam Silver endorsement of Trump not reflect on the NBA?" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 3/1).
OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY: FORBES' Mike Ozanian writes Lemonis in his criticism of France does not understand France's right "to express his opinion," and Lemonis' comment "shows he thinks Nascar fans are too dumb to make up their own mind about Trump." His tweet also "ignores the fact that NFL team owners and the players’ union -- many of whom are billionaires -- contribute a lot of money to politicians." Ozanian: "Does Lemonis want to vet those for his approval too? ... My hunch is Nascar will get stronger and Lemonis weaker by his rant" (FORBES.com, 3/1).
