IndyCar rejects Donald Trump-Robert F. Kennedy Jr. livery for Indy 500 car

With the 2024 presidential election on the horizon, the IndyCar series wants nothing to do with political branding. According to Marshall Pruett of RACER, the league has disallowed political branding on cars that will compete under its sanction at the upcoming Indianapolis 500 on May 26.

Many governing bodies tend to operate under politically neutral guidelines to not alienate any of their fans in one direction or another. So, while this is an encompassing policy, it’s also come to light because of Pruett’s report that an entry was filed for the Indy 500 to promote two presidential candidates—Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Donald Trump—on the car’s bodywork.

Naturally, the request was denied. IndyCar then provided a statement to RACER, removing itself from anything remotely political.

“IndyCar does not approve sponsorships associated with elected officials, candidates for political office or political action committees.”

As IndyCar approaches its most-watched race of the year, it’s no surprise they’re avoiding political statements. To prevent alienating fans with political stances, they’ve requested that the unnamed team not use the RFK Jr./Trump body work on their car for the 108th Indy 500.

IndyCar reportedly prefers a design that reflects traditional motorsports sponsorships.

But as Pruett noted, this isn’t the organization’s first run-in with the former president, per se.

While it’s uncertain whether the former president withdrew or the organizers opted against it, Trump was reportedly scheduled to deliver the ceremonial “Start your engines!” directive at The Million Dollar Challenge All-Star race at the Thermal Club on March 24. The organizers intended for this moment to be broadcast live on NBC, but the arrangement eventually collapsed.

[RACER]