NASCAR Owners Responds To Kneelers With Strong Words And Promises Of Action

NASCAR owners sided with President Trump over the national anthem protests.

Richard Petty Says He Has No Tolerance For Disrespecting The US

Several NASCAR team owners said they would come down hard on any drivers who did not stand for the national anthem.

Richard Petty, owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, said he wouldn’t tolerate one of his drivers not standing for the national anthem, according to Business Insider.

“Anybody that don’t stand up for the anthem oughta be out of the country, period,” Petty said according to the Associated Press. “What got ’em where they’re at? The United States.”

When Petty was asked if his drivers would be fired if they protest during the anthem, Petty replied, “You’re right.”

Richard Petty Motorsports has Bubba Wallace as a driver. Wallace is NASCAR’s only black driver.

Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing, said he would not tolerate drivers who protest during the national anthem.

“It’ll get you a ride on a Greyhound bus,” Childress said. “Anybody that works for me should respect the country we live in. So many people gave their lives for it. This is America.”

All drivers reportedly stood during the anthem prior to Sunday’s race in New Hampshire.

Reaction from sports all over the country were triggered Sunday after President Donald Trump criticized NFL players who protest the national anthem on Friday night. Trump said he wished NFL owners would “fire” the players and say, “Get that son of a bitch off the field right now.”

One restaurant in Louisiana refused to show the New Orleans Saints’ game on TV after players protested the national anthem.

“I apologize to all of our guest but we will not be viewing the Saints game today in house,” WOW Café & Winger of St. Bernard posted on its Facebook page. “Some of our local players chose to sit during the National Anthem, which will not be supported or praised at WOW.”

That post received 3.7k “likes” on Facebook. The business has 2.6k “likes” on Facebook.

President Donald Trump tweeted Monday, “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 clear!”

Dale Earnhardt Jr. responded with a tweet that wasn’t quite an endorsement of kneeling, but appears to oppose President Trump and support kneelers’ right to protest, saying:

All Americans R granted rights 2 peaceful protests
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable-JFK

NASCAR itself released the following statement which doesn’t deviate far from Ernhardt’s statement:

“Sports are a unifying influence in our society, bringing people of differing backgrounds and beliefs together. Our respect for the national anthem has always been a hallmark of our pre-race events. Thanks to the sacrifices of many, we live in a country of unparalleled freedoms and countless liberties, including the right to peacefully express one’s opinion.”

Our partners at Warrior 12, who print our Blue Lives Matter shirts, have launched a limited edition pre-order Stand For The Flag shirt so that can proudly display that you don’t kneel.

You can get your Stand For The Flag shirt HERE.