NASCAR
Nation launched itself into a downright tizzy today, after NASCAR Chairman
Brian France and four of the sport’s most popular drivers endorsed Republican
Presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally in Valdosta,
Ga., Monday.
Accompanied by Sprint Cup Series drivers Ryan Newman, David
Ragan and Chase Elliott, along with NASCAR Hall Of Famer Bill Elliott, France expressed
support for the Republican frontrunner, saying Trump “wins
with his family. Any of his children, you’d be proud of have them as part of
your family. That’s how I judge a winner, how somebody manages their family and
raises their family.”
Bill Elliott told the capacity crowd, “what (Trump) can
do for our country, I’m all for it. We need a change, guys. That’s all there is
to it. And I think this is the man for the job.”
Chase Elliott called Trump “a great man,” adding, “I
think he’s a guy who can do some great things for us.”
Trump welcomed those endorsements, saying, “If the people
that like and watch NASCAR vote for Donald Trump, they can cancel the election
right now. Nobody else can win. Nobody.”
The Trump campaign quickly – and incorrectly -- characterized
France’s words as an endorsement of their candidate by NASCAR itself. It’s not the first time a politician has spun the truth to suit
his or her needs, and it almost certainly won’t be the last.
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| Brian France is a Trump Man. |
Unfortunately, lots of people took that particular ball and ran with
it, despite a hasty clarification by NASCAR Vice President David Higdon, who called France’s endorsement a "private personal
decision by Brian."
Politics have always been shaky
ground for public discourse. Emotions run high during any political campaign,
particularly one conducted in pursuit of the highest office in the land. A 2015
campaign season riddled with name-calling, invective, character assassination and
half-truths has done little to raise the bar.
Personally, I could care
less who Brian France – or anyone else – supports in the upcoming presidential
election. I am far more likely to vote for a candidate based on his/her actual
record than a public endorsement; whether it be from a newspaper publisher, television
pundit, Hollywood actor or sports figure.
My sainted mother will
testify to my lifelong aversion to being told what to do. I am perfectly capable
of making my own decisions, without any input at all from Arnold Schwarzenegger
or Michael Moore. With that said, however, there are a few undeniable facts
that should be stated, as concerns Monday’s endorsements.
First, Monday's endorsement was not the first time a member of the France family has come out -- loud and proud -- in favor of a conservative Republican candidate. Ronald Reagan didn't show up at Daytona International Speedway for Richard Petty's 200th win on a whim, you know. He was invited by Brian France's father, Bill Jr.
With decades of past history as a guide, it should be no surprise to see Brian France endorse Donald Trump.
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| Bill Elliott is also on board. |
Second, and more importantly, France, Newman, Ragan and the Elliotts have every right to endorse any political candidate they choose. They can do so privately – with an anonymous vote on Election Day – or
publically, as France and company chose to do on Monday. They are guaranteed
that right as American citizens, as are we all.
Used to be, people were admired
for their political activism, and for caring enough to take a stand. These
days, however, politics have been overrun by hate mongers, Negative Nellies and
mudslingers, to the point where taking a stand – for any candidate, regardless
of party – no longer seems like the civilized thing to do.
Most of us don’t even
bother to vote anymore, preferring instead to wait for things to go wrong in
Washington, as they always do, then complain.
Brian France did not speak
for NASCAR Nation Monday, he spoke only for himself. As CEO of the sanctioning
body, he understands that NASCAR is a diverse community,
comprised of all sorts of individuals. We are Republicans and Democrats, conservative
and liberal, male and female, rich and poor. We are white, black, yellow and
brown; gay and straight with a wide array of strong opinions on virtually every
topic. We speak with a million voices and no one – most certainly Brian France –
is arrogant enough to believe they can speak on all our behalves.
NASCAR is millions, Brian
France is one. And I think he knows that.
NASCAR drivers spend half
their lives festooned with sponsor logos. And yet, at last night’s rally, you
saw not a single corporate or NASCAR logo; other than Trump’s omnipresent
campaign signage. That’s a pretty clear indicator that France and company knew who
they were representing. Not their sanctioning body, not their sponsors, their teams
or their fans.
They represented only
themselves, which is exactly as it should be.
Like any candidate, I’m sure Donald Trump would love to
have every NASCAR fan’s vote. That’s unlikely, of course, due to the sport's aforementioned political diversity. Some fans may be influenced in Trump’s direction by the
recent words of NASCAR’s CEO, or its 16-time Most Popular Driver. Others may be pushed
in exactly the opposite direction, which is also fine.
No matter how you feel about Brian France's personal politics, you should support his right to speak.
I have no idea who I will vote for on Election Day. Count me among the vast "Undecided Party," still searching for a candidate who doesn't make my skin crawl at least 50% of the time. When the time comes to cast my vote, it likely will not be for Donald Trump. But I support the right of Brian France -- and anyone else for that matter -- to vote their conscience, just as I will eventually vote mine.
You should, too.
