The NASCAR driver who’s name became a national chant gets political in note to fans
Brandon Brown has spent the last 6 years in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. He now has 119 races under his belt along with 1 win.
Earlier this year, sporting fans across the nation began to chant, “Fuck Joe Biden.” The reasons for the chant come from a wide range of reasons.
Just as the chant picked up steam, Brown won the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. The driver climbed from his machine at the front stretch after the victory.
In the background, the chant began. The reporter incorrectly heard the chant as, “Let’s Go Brandon.” In an instant, the popular chant was transformed.
Related: NASCAR fans chant: “F*** Joe Biden!” (VIdeo)
Since, fans no longer chant, “Fuck Joe Biden.” Instead, the chant has made a transition to, “Let’s Go Brandon.”
NASCAR has spoken on the phrase. They’ve discouraged fans to use the chant and they’ve also threatened to take people to court who use of any NASCAR branding in “Let’s Go Brandon” merchandise.
Related: NASCAR president comments on “Let’s Go Brandon!” movement
The 28-year-old NASCAR drivers name has spread well beyond NASCAR. The chant has been used at every type sporting event in the nation and even beyond sports.
Most don’t know anything about the driver behind the chant. And said drivers has remained mostly silent, until now…
Related: Missouri’s Eric Schmitt put NASCAR logo slab in “Let’s Go Brandon” merch
Brown Brown comments on the Let’s Go Brandon phrase
“I am Brandon, the NASCAR driver and unlikely meme. A 28-year-old who now finds himself in the middle of the American political conversation. As a pro driver, I never expected to be in the passenger seat of my own viral moment,” Brandon Brown stated via Newsweek.
“I am fully aware that the millions of Americans chanting my name know little about me or about my winning the Talladega race that day. But I have spent the last few weeks getting to know more about them, and I’d like to share a little more about myself.”
Advice to keep quite
Aside from a few retweets on the viral topic, the driver behind the phrase has said next to nothing. That’s not because he wasn’t asked…
“All the advice I got from those around my racing career was to stay quiet after that now-famous interview. No one knew how my sponsors would react and, in my world, there is no car to drive without the sponsors.”
“So, I kept quiet. I turned down more press requests than I imagined someone could ever get—especially someone just starting his NASCAR career. I was afraid of being canceled by my sponsors, or by the media, for being caught up in something that has little to do with me.”
“My job is to run the next lap faster than the last one. Politics has never been that interesting to me. Though, like most, I have always had the impression that politicians were likely the cause of more problems than they were the solutions.”
Drivers of NASCAR haven’t used the popular phrase despite it’s origins, with the exception of one. Matt DiBenedetto used the phrase during the final race of the 2021 season. He later felt regret and apologized from his use of the phrase. DiBenedetto has yet to secure a ride for 2022.
Related: NASCAR driver Matt DiBenedetto says “Let’s Go Brandon!”
Speaking on politics
Drivers typically steer clear of politics. Anything said on the topic splits your audience by 50% and sponsors are aware of this. When drivers were asked to take a stand at Atlanta Motor Speedway against police brutality, they all sat on the sidelines, except Bubba Wallace.
Related: Bubba Wallace on becoming the most-hated driver after Noose incident
“I understand that millions of people are struggling right now and are frustrated. Struggling to get by and struggling to build a solid life for themselves and their families, and wondering why their government only seems to make it worse. People have a right to frustration—even anger.”
“Listen, I buy more gas than most. I don’t like that $4 per gallon has become the norm. I know the cost of everything is rising and I know first-hand that making ends meet can be a struggle for middle-class folks like me.”
Brown added, “I have no interest in leading some political fight. I race cars. I am not going to endorse anyone, and I am certainly not going to tell anyone how to vote.”
“But I’m also no longer going to be silent about the situation I find myself in, and why millions of Americans are chanting my name. I hear them, even if Washington does not.”
2022
Brown drivers for Brandonbilt Motorsports, a small family-owned race team. He’ll be back in the 2022 season with the same team.
“Ninety-nine percent of my time this upcoming NASCAR season will be spent trying to take the next lap a little faster. But, when I have the opportunity and the time, I am not going to hesitate to speak about issues I am passionate about, or the problems we face together as Americans,” Brown added.
“How you vote is none of my business. Instead, I will use what free time I have to highlight the struggle we all feel and share, as Americans.”
“To my fans, to NASCAR fans and to everyone who has chanted my name: I dedicate myself this upcoming season to compete hard on the racetrack and to spotlight issues that are important to me and to millions of Americans across the country.”
Brown concluded with, “Let’s Go America.”
Related: NASCAR driver Matt DiBenedetto feels guilt after Phoenix actions (Video)
Links
Brandon Brown | Joe Biden | Talladega SuperSpeedway | NASCAR
