The National Rifle Association is taking its relationship with racing to a new level as the title sponsor of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.
The deal with Texas Motor Speedway comes at a time when the NRA is involved in a renewed debate on gun violence in the wake of the December shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.
“It’s not about politics. It’s about sports marketing,” TMS president Eddie Gossage said Monday after the announcement of the one-year agreement with the NRA that includes a renewal option.
The April 13 race at Texas, the first scheduled night race in the Cup Series this season, will be known as the NRA 500.
via Sweet!
NASCAR issued this statement after the announcement Monday:
“Race entitlement partnerships are agreements directly between the track and the sponsor. NASCAR reserves the right to approve or disapprove those sponsorships. The race sponsor for Texas Motor Speedway’s April event falls within the guidelines for approval for that event.”
Twitter Reactions:
We are proud to announce our Spring #NASCAR Cup sponsor the @nra. Gear up for the #NRA500 y’all! twitter.com/TXMotorSpeedwa…
— Texas Motor Speedway (@TXMotorSpeedway) March 4, 2013
On @usatodaysports: With the NRA sponsoring Texas, Eddie Gossage says victory lane might change. Here’s how: usat.ly/XSOcvP #nascar
— Nate Ryan (@nateryan) March 5, 2013
One reader who found out that the NRA was Sponsoring a NASCAR race was less than enthused. We take it she didn’t know that NASCAR roots come from running an illegal liquid during prohibition. I am sure those Moonshine runners kept slingshots (not Guns) in their souped up cars. So it is OK to support Hooch the running tradition, but add a Gun to the mix, they are Dead to her.
Just heard the #NRA will be sponsoring a #NASCAR race in April. Sorry @jeffgordonweb I’ll love you from the sidelines. Nascar is dead to me.
— Kari Hope (@TyJuanOn) March 5, 2013
@danpatrick on #Piers talking about #NRA sponsoring #NASCAR Sprint Cup Race at Texas. Tells #CNN host, ‘NRA is something we can be proud of’
— Alana Rocha (@viaAlana) March 5, 2013
ICYMI: @nra EVP & CEO Wayne LaPierre on the NRA American Warrior 300 at @amsupdates September 1st – youtu.be/0HUrl8U5HqQ #NASCAR #NRA
— NRA News (@NRANews) July 4, 2012
Related articles
- NRA to sponsor Texas Sprint Cup race in April (espn.go.com)
- NRA title sponsor for NASCAR Cup race in Texas (reporternews.com)
- NASCAR Daytona 500 ‘Drivers and Danica, start your engines’ (politisite.com)
