Fans threaten to boycott NASCAR after tweet celebrating pride month

Fans have threatened to boycott NASCAR after it changed its logo to celebrate pride month.

NASCAR recently joined a bunch of other American sporting bodies - most notably the NFL - by announcing its support of pride month.

But it seems their social media post has gone down like a lead balloon with some people.

While a portion of people online threw their support behind the move, others were quick to voice their opposition – some even threatening to boycott the sport altogether.

"We celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during #PrideMonth and beyond," NASCAR's official account tweeted.

The post sparked outrage with people flocking to the comments section to slam the racing organisation.

In response, one bloke said: "Yep, no more NASCAR for me!!"

While another added: "Blocking @NASCAR. Buh bye."

As a third commented: "And so we shall celebrate not having anything to do with you anymore."

And a fourth replied: "And just like that all the red hats boycotted nascar... again!"

It wasn't long before the hashtag #BoycottNASCAR started trending on Twitter too.

But not everyone was against NASCAR's support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Member of Congress Ted Lieu tweeted: "Thank you @NASCAR for showing that in America, we value freedom and let Americans be who they are. Happy Pride Month!"

As another person chimed in, adding: "Today I learned NASCAR celebrates Pride. I wonder if conservatives are gonna boycott them, too? And the NFL? And Papa John’s? And Miller, Coors, AND Budweiser? What are y’all even gonna do on the weekends if you continue down this route?"

While a third said: "NASCAR has been a year-round supporter of the LGBTQ+ community for quite some time now and their efforts do not go unnoticed. Pride is more than a month, and they know it. Proud of everything they’ve done to make the sport more inclusive for all."

To celebrate pride month last year, NASCAR released a limited edition merchandise range.

The pro-LGBTQIA+ rainbow t-shirts had the terms "Yaaascar” and “Love Wins” emblazoned across the chest.

One of the sport's only openly-gay drivers, Zach Herrin, recently spoke about his experiences of coming out in the motorsport community.

“I had this part of my identity that I was just kind of pushing to the side,” he told Advcate.

“The motorsports industry can be pretty one sided at times, not very welcoming to all topics of gender, religion, sexuality, whatever it may be. It’s pretty much, ‘This is it, this is what motorsports is and what it’s supposed to be. If you don’t fit in, get out’.”

Herrin added: “[Coming out] ultimately led me to walk away from everything we had worked toward. I had felt happier making that decision. I was able to come out to my family and friends. And through this period, I’ve been able to grow this part of my identity, trying to express myself and how I want to be perceived in today’s world as a gay man.”

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/NASCAR

Topics: Motorsport, US Sports, United States

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry