A senator from Connecticut is urging FOX to pull this weekend’s NASCAR race from its schedule over the race’s title sponsor.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrote to the head of FOX Thursday begging the network to nix coverage of the NRA 500 race in Texas.
“I write today to urge you to not broadcast NASCAR’s NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13th,” Murphy wrote. “This race, which is being sponsored by the National Rifle Association (NRA), is going to take place during the Senate’s consideration of legislation to reduce gun violence. The race not only brings national attention to an organization that has been the face of one side of this heated debate, it also features the live shooting of guns at the end of the race.”
The festivities include live gunshots at the end of the race and winners are typically given two revolvers and cowboy hats as prizes.
The freshman senator said with all the recent gun violence in the nation, including the Newtown school tragedy, the race sends a harmful message.
NASCAR fired back saying it does not have an official position on gun rights since its fans and drivers come from all walks of life.
