NASCAR fans have taken to X/Twitter to voice their frustrations with Riley Gaines’ mentioning of President Donald Trump during the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix on Sunday.
Riley Gaines, a former gold medal-winning swimmer from the University of Kentucky, was brought in to perform the invocation before Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix race in Austin, Texas.
In the middle of the prayer, Gaines made a mention of President Donald Trump.
Heavenly Father, bless President Donald J. Trump, his cabinet and all of our leaders that they may seek your guidance in all decisions. If this is done we will never be wrong and America will be made great again.”
Countless fans took to X/Twitter and expressed disgust over Gaines’ decision to bring up politics during the invocation.
“So, where is the “keep politics out of NASCAR” crowd during the pre-race invocation? We didn’t really need the “thank Donald Trump” during a prayer,” one fan said.
“Riley Gaines made sure to say a prayer for President Trump and his cabinet during the NASCAR Cup Series invocation without giving a shit about the actual drivers competing. #NASCAR is doing a piss poor job at saying to keep politics out of it and then allowing MAGA to invade.”, wrote another.
“This is coming from a pastor—LEAVE POLITICS OUT OF THE INVOCATION!!! Prayer is NOT the place to push political ideologies. The prayer that was offered before today’s race was inappropriate, sacrilegious, and offensive. DO BETTER!,” said a user.
“That invocation was bad, regardless where you lean on politics that was a uncalled for,” wrote another.
“the “keep politics out of nascar” crowd is gonna be very quiet about that one,” a user remarked.
“Not a huge fan of the prayers beforehand anyway, but this was so grossly political. Gotta love the irony of a sport that was previously in an uproar about “keeping politics out” about BLM pulling this.,” wrote another.
Gaines has become a polarizing figure in the world of political commentary, largely because of her push to ban trans women from competing in women’s sports. Gaines is also a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and spoke at one of his rallies in August.
Trump was sworn in for his second presidential term on Jan. 20, succeeding Joe Biden two months after defeating Kamala Harris in the election. Trump is the second president to serve two non-consecutive terms, joining Grover Cleveland in the exclusive club.
Donald Trump Stays Heavily Involved In Sporting World
Trump has always been a huge sports fan, and his tenure in the White House has not changed that passion in the slightest.
The 78-year-old has a good relationship with former WWE chairman Vince McMahon, helping the latter expand the growth of his wrestling business in the ’80s. He attended Super Bowl 59 three weeks ago (becoming the first sitting POTUS to do so) and gave Team USA a phone call before their showdown vs. Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off Final.
