Prior to the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug. 17, Rick Ware Racing announced heavy metal bank Slayer as the primary sponsor on its #54 Chevrolet to be driven by J.J. Yeley at Bristol. The band also was listed as the sponsor on the preliminary entry list for the race, but as race day approached, Slayer was replaced by PODS, a moving and storage company, on the hood of Yeley's car.
According to RWR owner Rick Ware, the plan to have Slayer on the #54 car was a tentative plan, claiming no contract was signed and no money changed hands.
“Rick Ware Racing and Slayer announced a partnership for Bristol Motor Speedway several weeks ago,” Ware said. “There were no contracts or monetary transactions between either party. Unfortunately, Slayer’s brand image and believs, and Rick Ware Racing and our longtime partners’ images and beliefs do not align. As a team owner, we thought it would be best to forgo the partnership. RWR wishes nothing but the best to Slayer and their fans and wishes the band a successful final world tour.”
Prior to the race, Slayer released its own statement.
“Today, reportedly due to reactionary concerns from other long-time participating sponsors, Slayer has been pulled as the primary sponsor,” the statement read. “After nearly 40 years, Slayer apparently remains as terrifying to some as ever.”
Yeley was still introduced to the Slayer song, "Raining Blood," during driver introductions prior to the race. Drivers get to choose to what song they're introduced at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Discussion about this post