Over the past three days, at least five professional NASCAR drivers have come forward, citing situations during the 2020 racing season where they were intimidated or threatened by fans, other teams, or other, unknown parties. The FBI’s newly-created NASCAR Investigation Task Force has worked diligently with NASCAR owners, teams, and management to handle the ongoing investigations.
A summary of the allegations from this round of complaints are as follows:
Brad Keselowski: Received a note during a recent qualifying event saying “Go for the pole!” which he believe is directed at his heritage. Also claims a popular, disparaging acronym for FORD was directed at him personally via social media.
Reed Sorenson: Alleges that multiple fans have sent him pictures with large, red targets painted on his car and/or his racing suit. Mr. Sorenson believes these actions constitute an assassination threat.
BJ McLeod: Found a large sword in his locker with a note saying “There can be only one.” Similar to Mr. Sorenson, Mr. McLeod claims he now fears for his life, as well as the lives of his family and clan.
Kyle Larson: Found a note on his personal vehicle expressing that the writer “Hopes [Larson] has good luck in midget racing!” Mr. Larson believes this is a reference to his relatively modest stature and thinks the writer is “probably just some stupid [redacted].”
Jimmie Johnson: Claims he has received countless phallic intimidation jokes via email and Twitter, causing him unexpected and intense mental pain and anguish.
These drivers hope their willingness to share their experiences will encourage others to come forward. To help accomplish this goal, the drivers have created an informal group under the hashtag #JustSoManyVictims in the hopes that at least 80% of all fellow human beings can find something to be upset about, whether the actions were intentional or coincidental.
“It’s only when we admit that we’ve tolerated these slights for so many years that the healing can begin,” star driver Jimmie Johnson shared in a press release. “We know the road will be very long, and very hard, but we’re going to push until this issue reaches deep into America’s gut.”