NASCAR legend Richard Petty has no second thoughts about who he's voting for: 'Don’t get mad at me'

BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA: The upcoming election between former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is just around the corner — and it’s no surprise that celebrities are getting involved.

Like clockwork, more and more public figures are stepping up to let everyone know who has their vote — hoping to influence their fan base along the way.

The Boss for Kamala Harris, the King for Donald Trump

Earlier this week, the iconic Bruce Springsteen took to social media to voice his support for Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Posting a video, Springsteen referred to Donald Trump as “the most dangerous candidate” he’s ever seen in his lifetime.

While The Boss is clearly rallying behind Harris, NASCAR legend Richard Petty isn’t shy about backing Trump once again. The 87-year-old racing icon — known as “The King” — didn’t mince words when a fan asked him if he was supporting the Republican candidate for president.

“Let me tell you, I don’t know any of y’alls politics, so don’t get mad at me saying this, ok? You’re either an American or a Democrat,” Petty said.

If you know anything about Petty’s history, his endorsement of Trump isn’t exactly shocking. The racing star has dabbled in politics himself, having served as a Republican county commissioner in his home state of North Carolina. After hanging up his helmet, Petty formed a political action committee (PAC) to help other Republican candidates.

Petty’s connection to Trump goes back to the 2016 election when he introduced the former president at a rally in North Carolina. This year, the two were spotted hanging out and catching up when Trump showed up at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Donald Trump and NASCAR

Donald Trump’s relationship with NASCAR fans runs deep. The sport has attracted a lot of attention over the years, especially from Republican candidates. Trump has built connections with some of NASCAR’s biggest stars and hasn’t shied away from past controversies surrounding the sport.

Back in 2016, then-NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France threw his weight behind Trump at a rally, with big-name drivers like Bill Elliott, Chase Elliott, Ryan Newman, and David Ragan also in attendance.

Trump’s love for NASCAR was also on full display during his presidency. Following in the footsteps of former presidents Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush, and George W Bush, Trump served as the grand marshal of the Daytona 500 in 2020, soaking up the spotlight as he sought reelection.

But the connection between Trump and NASCAR wasn’t all smooth sailing. In 2020, Trump found himself at odds with the sport when he referred to driver Bubba Wallace’s allegation of a noose in his garage at an Alabama speedway as a “hoax.” Wallace — who is Black — had received support from NASCAR after the incident, but Trump’s comments stirred controversy.

NASCAR’s president Steve Phelps stood by Wallace, rejecting the notion that the claim was part of a hoax — despite an investigation showing the rope had been there for years.

The incident, along with the racial justice protests of 2020 and the rise of the “Let’s Go Brandon” chant at NASCAR events — a not-so-subtle jab at President Joe Biden — led the sport to distance itself from politics. NASCAR eventually banned the display of Confederate flags at races and cracked down on political sponsorships.

NASCAR’s conservative fan base

NASCAR’s fan base remains predominantly conservative. A 2023 survey by The Harris/Sportico poll revealed that 54% of NASCAR fans identify as conservative, and 69% believe NASCAR fans generally lean right.

So why does Trump keep showing up at events like the Coca-Cola 600? Republican strategist Larry Shaheen has an answer: it’s all part of Trump’s strategy to connect with the working-class voter.

“With all his flaws and character issues, it’s funny because he has been a hero of the working man over the course of the last several years,” Shaheen explained, as quoted by Stars and Stripes.

By attending high-profile events like football games, UFC fights, and NASCAR races, Trump has cemented his image as a sports fan — and it’s working. “It’s a winning strategy,” Shaheen added.