Motor racing-IndyCar T-shirt withdrawn after slogan causes outrage

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May 7, 2026 1:38 PM EDT

Apr 19, 2026; Long Beach, California, USA; Ed Carpenter Racing driver Christian Rasmussen (21) during the Long Beach Grand Prix at Long Beach Street Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

May 7 (Reuters) - IndyCar ‌has withdrawn ​a ​T-shirt from its online store after some fans objected to language they said could ‌be interpreted as white-supremacist, a misstep for the ⁠Washington Grand Prix event intended to mark the 250th ‌anniversary of U.S. independence.

The shirt, ‌produced to promote the August Freedom 250 race, sports an image of Abraham Lincoln wearing a ​motor racing helmet, with ONE NATION above and ONE RACE below.

Some felt the words could ⁠be seen to have a racist double-entendre. A flurry of comments ​erupted on social media during the shirt's brief online existence.

"A shirt was removed from IndyCar's ​online store following feedback from ‌customers," said IndyCar in a statement. "We understand that some individuals found its phrasing ⁠concerning and therefore have remedied the situation."

The race has taken a patriotic theme in honor of the 250th ⁠anniversary of U.S. independence. President Donald Trump has lauded the ​event as part of the "Freedom 250" celebration the White House is promoting.

IndyCar racers will zoom near prominent Washington landmarks including ‌the Lincoln Memorial, on which the T-shirt's image appears to have been based. ‌Lincoln is remembered most for leading the Union ⁠during the Civil War, ‌which resulted in ​the end of slavery in the U.S.

(Reporting by Ed White, additional reporting by Frank ‌Pingue)


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