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It seems NASCAR owners and figureheads were
responsible for that.
Team owner Joe Gibbs, a Pro Football Hall of Famer for his time
as coach of the Washington Redskins, said, "So much has been
sacrificed for our country and our flag. It's a big deal for us
to honor America."
After Kyle Busch, a member of Gibb's team, won the Sunday race
New Hampshire, Gibbs said, "I'm proud of the way we've
represented ourselves, and I'm proud of this sport, too. I think
this sport has a certain way they look at things. I really
appreciate that."
Team owner Richard Childress said Sunday when asked what he
would do if one of his employees protested during the anthem,
"Get you a ride on a Greyhound bus when the national anthem is
over. I told them anyone who works for me should respect the
country we live in. So many people gave their lives for it. This
is America."
Team owner Richard Petty reiterated Childress's comments,
saying, "Anybody that don't stand up for that ought to be out of
the country. Period. If they don't appreciate where they're at
... what got them where they're at? The United States."
The majority owner of Richard Petty Motorsports, Andy Murstein,
backed off Petty's comments, however.
"I would sit down with them and say it's the wrong thing to do
that (take a knee), and many people, including myself, view it
as an affront to our great country," Murstein told ESPN. "If
there is disenchantment towards the president or a few bad
law-enforcement officers, don't have it cross over to all that
is still good and right about our country.
"They are all proud Americans who have lived through world wars
and turbulent times. While I respect their thoughts -- and
personally I think it's the wrong thing to kneel -- I wouldn't
fire someone for expressing their feelings."
An official with Team Penske told USA Today that "it's an issue
we've never faced and don't anticipate facing," and his team had
no specific policy on anthem protests.
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