IndyCar officials have pulled a promotional T-shirt from their online store following customer complaints that the garment’s wording could be viewed as racially insensitive.
The controversial merchandise was created to advertise the upcoming August Freedom 250 race in Washington, featuring an illustration of President Abraham Lincoln donning a racing helmet. The design included the text “ONE NATION” positioned above Lincoln’s image and “ONE RACE” printed below it.
Critics argued the phrasing might carry racist implications, sparking heated discussions across social media platforms during the shirt’s short time for sale.
“A shirt was removed from IndyCar’s online store following feedback from customers,” IndyCar officials said in their response. “We understand that some individuals found its phrasing concerning and therefore have remedied the situation.”
The Washington racing event carries a patriotic focus as part of commemorating America’s upcoming 250th independence anniversary. President Donald Trump has praised the competition as a key component of the White House’s “Freedom 250” festivities.
During the race, IndyCar drivers will navigate a course that passes by significant Washington monuments, including the Lincoln Memorial, which appears to have inspired the T-shirt’s design. Lincoln remains celebrated primarily for his leadership during the Civil War, which ultimately abolished slavery throughout the United States.
