© Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
The sport of NASCAR has its roots in the American south, where bootleggers during the prohibition would regularly race souped up cars initially designed to evade police. In the decades since the series was officially founded in 1947, it has held on its reputation as a southern-based sport meant to appeal largely to a very specific crowd.
In recent years, NASCAR has worked to expand its appeal. The series now races across the country. It has drivers, crew members and even owners with various diverse backgrounds, and it’s sport full of extremely intelligent engineering minds. But it still can’t shake its initial reputation, and Sunday’s race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin won’t help with that fact.
“Dear Heavenly Father, we gather today with gratitude for your mercy, that we do not deserve, and for the sacrifice of your Son that was sent to earth to conquer death, Hell & the grave.”
– Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) pre-race prayer at NASCAR’s Circuit of the Americas pic.twitter.com/i5A8Fvvg8u— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) March 2, 2025
Prior to the race, NASCAR welcomed Riley Gaines, an American conservative political activist, to offer the invocation – a tradition which has already come under fire from fans in recent years. Typically, this is done by a local pastor and religious leader who prays for the safety of drivers.
Instead, Gaines used the opportunity to pray for President Donald Trump and his cabinet.
“Heavenly Father, bless President Donald J. Trump, his cabinet and all of our leaders, that they may seek your guidance in all decisions,” she said. “If this is done we will never be wrong and America will be made great again.”
The comments did not sit well with NASCAR fans on Twitter.
Yeah that invocation is exactly why NASCAR has negative stereotypes about it
— Brett (@brettbphoto) March 2, 2025
NASCAR will never be able to shake itself from the stereotypes and that’s disappointing.
— Mason Henry (@MrHenry2019) March 2, 2025
Not to be too political but that Nascar prayer was super weird
— Fifth Gear (@NotFifthGear) March 2, 2025
Ultimately, Gaines’ invocation seems to overshadowed what was a remarkable race won by Joe Gibbs Racing driver Christopher Bell. But NASCAR knew what it was signing up for Gaines. So the series has nobody to blame but itself.