BREAKING: Jim France Sends NASCAR Community Into Panic After Declaring — “I Will Not Sell Tickets to People Attending Pride Month at My Racetrack”

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA — In a thunderous moment that has detonated across the world of motorsports and beyond, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France has ignited a political and cultural firestorm with one shocking statement:

“I will not sell tickets to people attending Pride Month at my racetrack.”

The comment, reportedly made during a closed-door donor dinner in Daytona and leaked via a staffer’s audio recording, has turned social media, the NASCAR paddock, and corporate sponsorship circles into a battlefield overnight.

NASCAR Fans Divided, Shocked, and Mobilized

The leak hit the internet Wednesday night, and by Thursday morning, NASCAR fans across the country were at each other’s throats on X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook. Some fans called for France’s immediate resignation, while others praised him for “standing up to the woke agenda.”

Trending hashtags include:

• #JimFranceMustGo

• #BoycottNASCAR

• #PrideInRacing

• #JimFranceIsRight

NASCAR’s own attempt to calm the waters backfired when it issued a vague statement:

“NASCAR is committed to making our sport welcoming to all. We are currently reviewing the reported remarks.”

That lukewarm response only escalated the situation, prompting fans on both sides to dig in — and sponsors to start sweating.

“Not Here for Rainbows”: The Alleged Quote That Sparked It All

According to the leaked audio clip, France told a small group of donors:

“We welcome everyone who loves racing, but Pride Month attendees who treat the track like a rainbow parade — I’m sorry, they’re not buying tickets at my racetrack.”

The quote was allegedly followed by scattered applause in the room. But outside it? Chaos.

Sponsors on Edge: Budweiser, Coca-Cola, Geico in Crossfire

Major NASCAR sponsors — many of whom have actively participated in Pride campaigns — are now reportedly reconsidering their partnerships. A source close to Coca-Cola Racing said:

“If the League doesn’t act swiftly, we may be forced to rethink our visibility in this environment.”

Likewise, Geico, Xfinity, and even Chevrolet have quietly requested clarification from NASCAR’s executive board.

Drivers React: Some Silent, Some Furious

While many current drivers have stayed silent (possibly under pressure from PR teams), a few racing personalities have begun speaking out:

• Bubba Wallace, the sport’s most outspoken advocate for diversity, posted: “Racing is for everyone. Period.”

• Former driver Danica Patrick wrote: “Love is not a threat to tradition.”

Meanwhile, several independent racing teams are reportedly preparing to run Pride-themed liveries at upcoming races in quiet protest of the remarks.

Is Jim France Done — or Doubling Down?

Insiders at NASCAR HQ say there’s growing concern that France may refuse to walk back his words. One anonymous executive revealed:

“Jim believes NASCAR has already given in too much. This may be his line in the sand.”

Some even speculate that France — a member of one of America’s most powerful racing dynasties — intended the remark as a test balloon to gauge the fanbase’s appetite for more “traditional values” rhetoric.

Could This Sink NASCAR’s Modernization Efforts?

In recent years, NASCAR has made significant strides toward inclusion, including waving the Pride flag at select races and banning the Confederate flag. But this incident threatens to undo years of progress overnight.

A longtime motorsports journalist wrote:

“This could split the sport in half. It’s bigger than one quote — it’s about what kind of audience NASCAR wants in 2025 and beyond.”

🚨 What Comes Next?

• Will Jim France issue a public apology — or go silent?

• Will NASCAR’s board take action to contain the fallout?

• Will this accelerate a cultural divide already simmering beneath the surface of the sport?

One thing is certain: this controversy will echo far beyond the grandstands.