BREAKING: Chase Elliott Refuses to Celebrate Pride Month, Declares “WOKE Doesn’t Deserve to Be Commemorated”
In a move that has sent shockwaves through both the NASCAR community and the broader cultural landscape, NASCAR superstar Chase Elliott has made headlines after announcing that he will not be participating in or celebrating Pride Month this June. The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series Champion, known for his typically low-key demeanor and broad fan support, stunned many with a blunt statement: “WOKE doesn’t deserve to be commemorated.”
Elliott made the controversial remarks during a press conference ahead of this weekend’s race in Sonoma, California, where he was asked whether he or his team would be showing support for the LGBTQ+ community during June — a time when many sports leagues, brands, and public figures don rainbow colors to support equality and inclusion.
“I respect everybody’s right to live how they want, but I’m not going to pretend that I support a movement that’s been hijacked by a radical ideology,” Elliott said. “Pride Month isn’t about love and tolerance anymore. It’s about forcing political correctness down people’s throats. That’s not something I’m going to be a part of.”
A Sharp Departure
Elliott’s comments represent a sharp departure from the growing trend in professional sports where inclusivity and advocacy have become key pillars of public image. NASCAR itself has made significant strides in recent years to promote diversity and break away from its historically conservative image. From removing Confederate flags to supporting drivers like Bubba Wallace in speaking out on racial justice, the league has been trying to balance its traditional roots with modern sensibilities.
Elliott, however, appears to be resisting this cultural shift.
“I race cars for a living. I’m not here to push politics or social agendas. The idea that every athlete or celebrity has to be a spokesperson for something they don’t believe in — that’s exactly what’s wrong with this whole ‘woke’ culture,” Elliott said. “This month, I’m going to keep my focus on the track. Period.”
Reactions Across the Spectrum
The backlash online was swift. LGBTQ+ advocates, NASCAR fans, and public figures flooded social media with criticism, accusing Elliott of intolerance, disrespect, and hypocrisy.
Sarah Kendrick, spokesperson for GLAAD, issued a statement saying, “When someone with Chase Elliott’s influence chooses to reject Pride Month using language like ‘woke doesn’t deserve to be commemorated,’ they’re not just opting out — they’re sending a clear message that marginalizes millions of LGBTQ+ Americans.”
Meanwhile, fellow drivers have begun to weigh in. Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s only full-time Black driver and a vocal supporter of inclusion efforts, posted a cryptic tweet: “The silence of some is deafening. The loudness of others? Revealing.”
Others, however, rushed to Elliott’s defense. Conservative commentator Clay Travis praised Elliott’s stance on his radio show: “Finally, a sports figure who isn’t afraid to say what a lot of Americans are thinking. Pride Month has become more about virtue signaling than real unity. Chase Elliott is just being honest.”
Sponsors on the Fence
The fallout from Elliott’s remarks may not end on social media. Multiple sponsors of his No. 9 Chevrolet — including NAPA Auto Parts, Hooters, and UniFirst — have yet to make public statements, though sources close to one sponsor indicate there were “serious internal conversations” immediately after the press conference.
In the age of corporate social responsibility, companies are often forced to walk a tightrope when brand ambassadors express controversial views.
“This could go either way,” said marketing expert Julia Nguyen of Columbia University. “Chase Elliott is enormously popular with a core demographic that skews traditional, even conservative. But national sponsors don’t want to be associated with exclusionary rhetoric, especially in a sport trying to modernize.”
A Risk Calculated — or a Career Shift?
Whether Elliott’s decision is rooted in deep personal beliefs, political alignment, or public relations strategy is unclear. What is clear, however, is that the 28-year-old Georgia native has just placed himself at the center of America’s increasingly tense cultural divide.
This isn’t the first time Elliott has hinted at anti-woke sentiments. In a 2023 interview, he said he was tired of “seeing sports turned into soapboxes,” and in early 2024, he declined to wear a “Drive for Inclusion” patch on his uniform during NASCAR’s diversity week, citing “personal reasons.”
Still, few expected him to go as far as denouncing Pride Month itself.
Some insiders suggest Elliott’s boldness may reflect an evolving long-term plan. “He might be thinking about his future beyond NASCAR,” said one anonymous crew member. “There’s a big appetite in the country for athletes who speak out against ‘wokeness.’ Look at what happened with Aaron Rodgers. Maybe Chase wants to go in that direction.”
NASCAR’s Response
NASCAR has yet to issue a formal response to Elliott’s comments. However, a league spokesperson did release a brief statement emphasizing NASCAR’s ongoing support of Pride Month and LGBTQ+ inclusion, adding: “We remain committed to making NASCAR a welcoming environment for all fans and competitors.”
It remains to be seen whether NASCAR will take disciplinary action or issue any form of public censure.
Fanbase Divided
Among Elliott’s large and loyal fanbase, the reaction was notably divided. Many long-time supporters cheered his remarks as a rare show of authenticity.
“He’s a good ol’ boy from Georgia, and he’s staying true to his roots,” said Rick Donnelly, a fan from North Carolina. “Not everybody has to fall in line with Hollywood values.”
Others, however, were deeply disappointed.
“I’ve been a Chase fan since he came up in the Xfinity Series, but I can’t support someone who goes out of his way to insult a whole group of people,” said Jamie LeClair, a LGBTQ+ fan from Ohio. “We just want to be treated with dignity, not called ‘woke’ like it’s a slur.”
The Road Ahead
Whether Chase Elliott’s defiant stance will cost him sponsorships, relationships in the sport, or fans remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the conversation around inclusion, identity, and “woke culture” in sports isn’t going away anytime soon.
As the NASCAR season rumbles on through the summer months, Elliott’s words will likely echo louder than any engine roar — a s
tark reminder of how divided even the world of racing has become.
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