“At every NASCAR race, you will see thousands of patriotic Americans, from the grandstands to the pit stalls, proudly waving our flag and roaring with joy at the words, 'Start your engines,'" President Donald Trump said on Monday.
Trump made the comments during an event at the White House to recognize NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex, Jr.
"And I will tell you --one thing I know about NASCAR - they do indeed, Brian (NASCAR CEO Brian France), stand for the playing of the national anthem, right?"
“They do indeed. Somebody said ‘maybe you shouldn't say that, that'll be controversial.’ I said, that's OK, NASCAR's not going to mind it at all. Right fellas? They don't mind it at all."
Following Trump’s criticism of NFL players kneeling for the national anthem last year, several NASCAR team owners said they wouldn’t tolerate similar actions from the drivers.