NASCAR wants to separate itself from ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ slogan. It won’t be easy
NASCAR wants to separate itself from “Let’s Go Brandon,” a conservative rally cry that’s coded criticism of President Joe Biden. It won’t be easy.
A banner with the slogan flew over Phoenix Raceway the weekend of NASCAR’s slate of championship races. Fans wearing “Let’s Go Brandon” T-shirts and holding signs have been a presence in the grandstands throughout playoff races, and fan cheers of the slogan have been audible on race broadcasts — most recently following NASCAR’s Truck Series championship race Friday night. NASCAR and NBC indicated Saturday that there is no plan in place to alter post-race procedures in response to the chants.
NASCAR’s final race of its 2021 season is Sunday, when a Cup Series champion will be crowned, but some fans are likely to replace the winner’s name with “Brandon” in their cheers.
The chant started at a NASCAR race in October at Talladega in which Xfinity race winner Brandon Brown was interviewed post-race by NBC Sports reporter Kelli Stavast. Stavast told Brown on-air that the crowd behind him was cheering “Let’s go Brandon!” in celebration of his win when, in reality, they were subliminally saying, “F--- Joe Biden.” It is unclear whether Stavast misheard the cheers or intentionally misidentified them.
The chant has since exploded in popularity among anti-Biden groups, but NASCAR’s sanctioning body expressed that it opposes its association with “Let’s Go Brandon.” NASCAR president Steve Phelps said Friday that NASCAR does not want to be affiliated with politics on either side of the aisle.
“I think it’s an unfortunate situation,” Phelps said. “Do we like the fact that it kind of started with NASCAR and then is gaining ground elsewhere? No, we’re not happy about that. But we will continue to make sure that we have respect for the office of the president.”
The NASCAR industry, however, has been willing to tangle with politics. Former President Donald Trump was the honorary starter at last year’s Daytona 500, a de facto rally in an election year. A car running a “Trump 2020” paint scheme appeared on track last season.
On Saturday, Cup Series driver Matt DiBenedetto was filmed in a video posted by conservative pundit Benny Johnson in which DiBenedetto gleefully says, “Let’s go Brandon,” before climbing into his No. 21 Ford ahead of qualifying. DiBenedetto called Johnson a friend.
Phelps repeatedly called “Let’s Go Brandon” an “unfortunate situation.”
“I feel for Brandon. I feel for Kelli,” Phelps said. “I think unfortunately it speaks to the state of where we are as a country.”
Brown declined a request for comment when contacted by the Observer.
Phelps also said that NASCAR will take a hard stance against those using trademarked logos for “Let’s Go Brandon” merchandise and will “pursue whoever that is and get that stopped.”
“That’s not OK. It’s not OK that you’re using our trademarks illegally, regardless of whether we agree with what the position is or not,” Phelps said.
NASCAR will have a tougher time policing the banners and cheers.
After NASCAR banned the Confederate flag at its races last season amid social justice protests, a “Defund NASCAR” banner with the symbol was repeatedly flown over the track on race weekends. NASCAR is able to alter and enforce its fans conduct policies on its track properties, but has not banned “Let’s Go Brandon” merchandise as the season winds to a close.
This story was originally published November 7, 2021 at 2:36 PM with the headline "NASCAR wants to separate itself from ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ slogan. It won’t be easy."
