The intersection of sports, politics, and patriotism ignited controversy when several NASCAR team owners publicly declared they would not tolerate employees protesting during the national anthem. Their statements came amid a broader national conversation about athletes kneeling during the anthem, a practice that gained attention as a peaceful protest against police brutality and racial injustice.
In 2017, team owners like Richard Childress and Richard Petty were among those who stated their zero-tolerance stance on anthem protests. Richard Childress, a legendary team owner and former driver, stated, “Anyone who works for me should respect the country. If they don’t, they should pack their bags.” Similarly, Richard Petty, the NASCAR icon turned owner, expressed that anyone protesting during the anthem would be fired immediately, adding, “You don’t have the right to disrespect the flag.”
The remarks came during the weekend of NASCAR’s Monster Energy Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. While no protests occurred in NASCAR at the time, the statements highlighted the stark divide between NASCAR’s culture and the broader trends seen in leagues like the NFL and NBA, where athletes such as Colin Kaepernick had brought the anthem protest movement to national attention.
The issue drew further attention when then-President Donald Trump weighed in, tweeting his approval of the NASCAR owners’ stance. Trump posted:
“So proud of NASCAR and its supporters and fans. They won’t put up with disrespecting our Country or our Flag – they said it loud and
