On Wednesday, NASCAR said that their "recent actions" were not in line with with their efforts to respect diversity and inclusion, particularly at the beginning of Pride Month, in which June has been designated as a time to celebrate the LGBT community.
Translation: NASCAR appeared to be apologizing for allowing Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott to wave the green flag at the All-Star Race at Texas Motor Speedway on May 22.
Why apologize? Yahoo News speculated, "In February, Abbott called for state agencies to investigate gender-affirming treatments on transgender teenagers. Abbott’s calls for investigations came after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) said that gender-affirming treatments for minors could be considered 'child abuse.'”
The report added, "NASCAR did not directly address Abbott’s presence at the race in its tweet celebrating the start of Pride Month."
For the record, a majority of Americans, and we can safely assume a majority of NASCAR fans, agree with Gov. Abbott's position on this issue.
Still, NASCAR apologized but never specifically said what they were apologizing for.
This probably means only one thing: Republican officials can no long participate in NASCAR events. They and their views are not welcome.
Is NASCAR going to apologize for Ronald Reagan giving the command at the Daytona 500 in 1981?
Or Reagan's NASCAR appearance in 1984?
NASCAR should definitely address their inclusion of former Republican President George H.W. Bush at their events.
NASCAR will also have to answer for allowing Donald Trump to attend the Daytona 500.
Who complained about Abbott? What could have possibly prompted NASCAR executives to make such a boneheaded move?
This "problem" came out of nowhere.
The message NASCAR sent is that no Republican president, governor, senator, or representatives in any state they do business will be allowed at their races. That's a decision that is probably not going to sit well with a majority of NASCAR fans.
NASCAR should answer: What are they apologizing for? Be clear. Tell your fans in no uncertain terms what you're saying. Because what it looks like you're saying is a direct slap in the face to so many fans who love the sport of racing.
We can speculate all day, but at the end of it, NASCAR should come clean about what they're actually talking about with this ridiculous apology. The fans deserve at least that.
Inclusion also means letting opposing voices be free to be heard! If you want to be an idiot and go along with wokeness, the rest of us will see you for who you are and vote with our feet.