NASCAR refused to approve a sponsorship related to the phrase “Let’s Go, Brandon,” according to a report.
The Washington Post reported that a NASCAR official with direct knowledge of the matter said the organization decided against approving the sponsorship.
The outlet noted NASCAR driver Brandon Brown, whose name became the basis of the anti-Biden chant, hoped to drive a red-white-and-blue Chevrolet sponsored by LGBcoin. The Post explains LGBcoin is a “near-valueless cryptocurrency developed to monetize the right-wing slogan, which is a coded reference to ‘F— Joe Biden.”
Brown reportedly made the announcement prematurely after a NASCAR employee who was not authorized gave him the go-ahead.
“I’m excited to welcome [LGBcoin_io] aboard my No. 68 Chevrolet Camaro as our 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series full season primary partner!” Brown tweeted.
I’m excited to welcome @LGBcoin_io aboard my No. 68 Chevrolet Camaro as our 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series full season primary partner!
— Brandon Brown (@brandonbrown_68) December 30, 2021
Press release: https://t.co/yWfkonk8vO pic.twitter.com/s8PkfCtnVD
A NASCAR official told the Post the organization stressed during a discussion in November that the potential sponsorship would not make any reference or allow any imagery based on the slogan.
In November, NASCAR sought to distance itself from the slogan.
“Do we like the fact that it kind of started with NASCAR and then is gaining ground elsewhere?” NASCAR President Steve Phelps said. “No, we’re not happy about that. But we will continue to make sure that we have respect for the office of the president.”
During an interview with The New York Times, Brown said he is not interested in getting into politics, as IJR reported.
“I have zero desire to be involved in politics,” he said.
Brown also told the publication he does not “know enough about politics to really form a true opinion, so I really focus on racing.”
The phrase grew popular after an NBC reporter thought she heard cheers for Brown when they were really chanting “f***” Biden, as IJR previously reported.
