NASCAR to Have Closer Look at Sponsors after NRA Deal

Following the attention the NRA 500 has received for just the name of the race, viagra order NASCAR will take a closer look at race sponsorships in the future, arthritis the sanctioning body said in a statement Thursday.

Tracks negotiate their own naming rights deals, and Texas Motor Speedway announced last month that the National Rifle Association would sponsor its Sprint Cup Series race, scheduled for Saturday night.

Race sponsorships typically generate at least $1 million or more for racetracks. The sanctioning agreement tracks have with NASCAR states that “NASCAR reserves the right to approve or disapprove any advertising, sponsorship or similar agreement in connection with the event.”

NASCAR approved the sponsorship, and Texas Motor Speedway President Eddie Gossage said Thursday there has been no public outcry over the sponsorship. He said he was not concerned over the timing of the race coinciding with the gun control debate and voting in Congress.

But NASCAR spokesman David Higdon released a statement that indicated the timing of a sponsorship and the perception of NASCAR will be used to determine whether to approve race sponsorships in the future.

“The NRA’s sponsorship of the event at Texas Motor Speedway fit within existing parameters that NASCAR affords tracks in securing partnerships,” the NASCAR statement said.

“However, this situation has made it clear that we need to take a closer look at our approval process moving forward, as current circumstances need to be factored in when making decisions.”

While there could be a perception that NASCAR is endorsing the NRA’s political platform, NASCAR said that is not the case.

“NASCAR has no official position on the gun rights debate,” the NASCAR statement said. “Our fans, racing teams and industry partners come from all walks of life and thus have varying points of views and opinions.

“As a sport, we are in the business of bringing people together for entertainment, not political debate.”