Count NASCAR among the organizations to race away from Donald Trump over his controversial remarks about Mexican immigrants.
The motorsports series has decided not to hold its season-ending awards ceremonies at the Trump National Doral Miami resort, NBC News reports.
NASCAR spokesman David Higdon made the announcement Friday, citing concern from sponsors and partners.
“We looked at everything we saw coming down and what we heard from our sponsors and our partners and what we feel we should be doing, and that’s what led us to the decision today,” Higdon said.
According to NBC, Marcus Lemonis, CEO of NASCAR sponsor Camping World, sent a letter to NASCAR chairman Brian France vowing that the company would not participate in the ceremony if it were held at a Trump property.
The letter cited “blatantly bigoted and racist comments” made by Trump.
“My company … has enjoyed a long running relationship with NASCAR as I believe the vision of our companies both embody family, respect, unity, camaraderie and diversity,” Lemonis wrote. “These sentiments are at the core of what our country stands for and will continue to embrace. … Due to recent and ongoing blatantly bigoted and racist comments from Donald Trump in regards to immigrants of the United States, I would like to inform you that I will not, nor will any representative of Camping World, participate or attend in the ceremonial event if it is held at any Trump property.”
Trump, who recently launched his campaign for the 2016 presidential election, has drawn harsh criticism for characterizing Mexican immigrants as “rapists,” among other pejoratives.
Since the remarks, a host of companies, including Univision, NBC and Macy’s, have severed ties with the mogul/politician.