Charlotte, NC — June 2, 2025 — NASCAR champion and fan favorite Chase Elliott has reportedly hit the brakes on celebrating Pride Month, stating that the growing influence of “woke culture” on sports has gone “off track.”

“This ain’t about hate,” Elliott allegedly told a group of close friends at a private racing event. “It’s about honesty. WOKE doesn’t deserve a trophy just for showing up. If you’re going to race for equality, don’t make it mandatory to drive the same car.”

And with that, the cultural engine roared to life.

Social Media Explodes: #ChaseGoesStraight Trends

Within minutes, the internet did what it does best: overreact. Hashtags like #ChaseGoesStraight, #PridePitStop, and #LeftTurnOnWoke started trending across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and the comments section of every NASCAR subreddit.

Supporters called him a patriot.

Critics called him a bigot.
Some just asked: “Who is Chase Elliott and why is he trending during Pride Month?”

TikTokers immediately started parodying the moment, with one viral clip showing a rainbow-colored race car spinning out while a voiceover says: “This car refuses to turn left — just like Chase.”

NASCAR Responds: Slow and Strategic

The official NASCAR X account posted a rainbow-themed logo earlier that morning, but when asked about Elliott’s alleged statement, a league spokesperson said:

“We continue to celebrate inclusion, community, and the unique voices of all our drivers. NASCAR has room for everyone — even if they’re driving in different ideological lanes.”

Translation: Please don’t cancel us. Or him. Or our sponsors. Please.

“Ideological Pit Stops” — The Phrase That Launched a Thousand Takes

Elliott’s rumored use of the phrase “ideological pit stops” has already inspired think pieces, memes, bumper stickers, and one country song in the works titled: “I Shifted Gears When Woke Got Weird.”

Columnists on both sides of the political spectrum chimed in.

• Right-wing pundits hailed him as “the Dale Earnhardt of freedom.”

• Progressive writers claimed it was “yet another example of casual intolerance disguised as individualism.”

Some LGBTQ+ NASCAR fans expressed disappointment, saying that the sport had only recently begun feeling more inclusive — and this felt like a backslide at 200mph.

Sponsors Stay Quiet… For Now

Elliott is sponsored by major brands like NAPA Auto Parts, Hooters, and UniFirst. None have issued official statements, but insiders suggest “tense group calls” and “urgent brand strategy meetings” are currently in progress.

An anonymous exec reportedly said:

“We just wanted to sell car parts and chicken wings, man. Not get dragged into the culture war.”

Meanwhile, a homemade sign was spotted at a small-town track in Alabama that read:
“CHASE ELLIOTT: FAST CARS, SLOW WOKE.”

Public Reaction: Divided as Always

Online polls show:

• 44% support Elliott’s decision to opt out of Pride Month celebrations.

• 49% oppose his stance, calling it “tone-deaf.”

• 7% thought “Pride Month” was a new sponsor for Hendrick Motorsports.

Some argue Elliott is standing up for personal freedom. Others argue he’s undermining a movement focused on visibility and rights.

A Change.org petition titled “Demand an Apology from Chase Elliott” has already reached 85,000 signatures. A rival petition titled “Let Chase Be Chase” has nearly 120,000 — and a t-shirt line to go with it.

Chase Reportedly “Unbothered”

According to those close to him, Elliott is aware of the controversy but remains “unbothered.” One friend said:

“He just wants to race. He’s not trying to start a revolution — he just doesn’t want to wear a rainbow decal on his fire suit.”

Meanwhile, someone spotted him at a Georgia gas station, filling up his truck and whistling to a Skynyrd song, blissfully unaware that he was being discussed on MSNBC, Fox News, and The View — all at once.

Final Lap: Free Speech or Free Pass?

Chase Elliott may not have set out to make a political statement, but in 2025, silence is speech, and speech is scandal. Whether you view him as courageous or careless, Elliott has once again proven that in today’s America, even turning left — or refusing to — can spark a national debate.