IndyCar Bans Political Branding for Upcoming Race Amidst Presidential Election

The prestigious IndyCar race, the Indianapolis 500, is widely recognized as one of the most significant motorsports competitions held in America. Its prominence matches that of NASCAR’s Daytona 500, which signals the commencement of their Cup Series season each year. Interestingly, this coming May’s IndyCar race will not witness any political branding on vehicles participating despite taking place approximately six months prior to voting for the 2024 presidential election. An entry requested a Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy emblazonment of their vehicle for the competition; however, this proposal was turned down by organizers owing to IndyCar’s policy prohibiting endorsements from political candidates or officeholders as well as PACS (Political Action Committees). The identity of the driver and team that submitted the request remain unknown. Last year’s Indianapolis 500 drew an audience exceeding three hundred thousand people at the venue, with more than two million individuals viewing it via their screens in households around America; this is further confirmation as to why American Josef Newgarden winning his maiden IndyCar title last season was such a significant event. Additionally, it seems probable that upcoming May’s contest could generate equivalent amounts of attention as the Team Penske driver Kyle Larson has been confirmed for double duty during the competition and will also compete in NASCAR’S Cup Series’ Coca-Cola 600. Notably, Kurt Busch is still recognized today due to him becoming just the third man since Billy Arnold (1954) to achieve this feat when he finished sixth at Indianapolis but then went on to finish forty positions lower in Charlotte’s race back in May of 2017.