NASCAR driver Corey LaJoie's Go Fas Racing team has reached a deal with a political action committee that will feature "Trump 2020" all over his vehicle.
LaJoie had previously raced with a small rectangle bearing the phrase "Trump 2020" on the side of his car. The new deal with a more prominent display was facilitated by the Patriots of America PAC, which supports President Donald Trump's reelection campaign.
Read about our new partnership with the Patriots of America PAC here:@POTUS | @realDonaldTrump | @CoreyLaJoie https://t.co/FEo9xEa4sm pic.twitter.com/phCaCMJlFC
— Go Fas Racing (@GoFasRacing32) July 1, 2020
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It's possible LaJoie carries mixed feelings about his team's explicit support of Trump, who opposes the Black Lives Matter movement that LaJoie's competitor and friend Bubba Wallace supports. Wallace, who is Black, has publicly shared his experiences with racism in NASCAR over the past few months.
LaJoie's brother responded to social media criticism about the paint scheme on Wednesday, suggesting LaJoie didn't have control over the deal.
"It’s tough to read some of the things people say about your family when they know so little," Casey LaJoie wrote. "So many things I could say, but Love always wins. I’ll be off social media for a while."
A lot of hate being thrown at @CoreyLaJoie over a situation he had no control over. It’s tough to read some of the things people say about your family when they know so little. So many things I could say, but Love always wins. I’ll be off social media for a while ✌🏻
— Casey LaJoie (@Casey_LaJoie) July 2, 2020
NASCAR has become an unlikely political lightning rod after it banned the Confederate flag from all events and provided Wallace support after a noose was found in his garage stall at Talladega Superspeedway two weekends ago. The noose incident was later determined to be a misunderstanding but in no way a hoax.
Trump has been an incendiary figure in U.S. race relations throughout his presidency, but particularly during a nationwide protest movement against police brutality and mistreatment of Black people in the country. He has advocated for unusual use of force against protesters and deemed Black Lives Matter a "symbol of hate."
LaJoie was one of many drivers to publicly embrace Wallace following the noose incident, helping Wallace finish the Geico 500 despite a fuel shortage.
The Go Fas Racing press release announcing the support of Trump attributed a quote to LaJoie speaking positively about the partnership, though oftentimes such statements are written with guidance by PR professionals. LaJoie did not mention Trump by name.
"With an estimated 75 million NASCAR fans out there, I was surprised that about 15 million of those fans are not registered voters," read LaJoie's statement. "I will give my best effort to get NASCAR fans registered to vote, through our team efforts on and off the track. When they see the car, hopefully it makes them race to the polls in November."