NASCAR’s Pride Tweet, Road America’s Future & Cheap Race Broadcasts

Congratulations, everyone, we made it.

We survived the only weekend within the 2022 NASCAR schedule without a Cup Series race.

Given there was only a Camping World Truck Series race over the weekend, instead of one lengthy column this week, I’ve decided to tackle a variety of subjects I’ve been mulling recently in short bursts.

NASCAR’s Vague Pride Apology

It’s been three weeks since NASCAR’s Twitter account began June, which is Pride Month, with the following vague tweet acknowledging “that recent actions have not aligned with NASCAR’s mission to be a welcoming sport for all.”

As we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, we acknowledge that recent actions have not aligned with NASCAR’s mission to be a welcoming sport for all.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to create a more inclusive environment — in our workplaces, at the race track & in the stands. pic.twitter.com/r0h232xaXd

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 1, 2022

We still don’t know who or what NASCAR was seemingly going out of its way to apologize for.

It apparently warranted a tweet but wasn’t important enough to be explicitly spelled out.

Though, we do have some idea what it was likely referring to, thanks to the Associated Press’ Jenna Fryer: the presence of Greg Abbott, Texas’ anti-LGBTQ Republican Governor at NASCAR’s All-Star Race in May, where he waved the green flag to start the event.

I’m not sure what this tweet is acknowledging… someone with the power to acknowledge such things admitted to me Abbott at Texas was a mistake. But below isn’t exactly clear which actions are out of alignment. 🤷‍♀️ https://t.co/WpJruoau7k

— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) June 1, 2022

Eight days after the tweet was posted, NASCAR president Steve Phelps was asked directly by FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass what the tweet was referring to and why the tweet was necessary.

“I’ll just say, generally, we as a sport haven’t been as a welcoming and inclusive to the LBGT community,” Phelps said. “We want to be, right? So the efforts that we’ve made with Hispanics and with African Americans, this is another important group that we want to reach out to. We want our sport to be as welcoming and inclusive as it can be. And that’s what race fans, you know, our existing fans are primarily, not all, they want to share this sport with others, they do. Whether it’s someone’s sexual orientation or the color of their skin or whatever that might be, it’s immaterial. It’s…