No protests in NASCAR after warnings from executives
LOUDON, NH - SEPTEMBER 20: Team owner Richard Petty watches qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 20, 2013 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) - It appeared no drivers, crew or other team members protested during the national anthem Sunday prior to a race at New Hampshire Motorspeedway.
Several team owners and executives had said they wouldn't want anyone in their organizations to protest. Richard Childress, who was Dale Earnhardt's longtime team owner, said of protesting: "It'll get you a ride on a Greyhound bus."
Childress says he told his team that "anybody that works for me should respect the country we live in. So many people gave their lives for it. This is America."
Hall of Fame driver Richard Petty's sentiments took it a step further, saying: "Anybody that don't stand up for the anthem oughta be out of the country. Period. What got 'em where they're at? The United States."
When asked if a protester at Richard Petty Motorsports would be fired, he said, "You're right."