I Knew Ther was a Good Reason Not to Follow NASCAR

This is not a knock on NASCAR, or even on the vast majority of devoted NASCAR fans out there. NASCAR is not my kind of gig (give me Hockey any day... sniff) but I know that it has a huge following in the US, so it must have redeeming qualities to a lot of people. But this action by the neo-Nazi National Alliance to target NASCAR events to spread their message should give all Americans something to think about. There is obviously a reason they are targeting these events and not the ballets or operas. You must ask, what is the environment that attracts the neo-Nazi National Alliance to these events? Why are these fans more susceptible to their message? And, if you are a NASCAR fan, what can you do to ensure the neo-Nazi National Alliance cannot exploit NASCAR for their own benefit? If I were a NASCAR fan I would be absolutely livid that such a vial group would target me as being neo-Nazi material.

White Supremacists Target NASCAR's Daytona 500 Race for Major Recruitment Drive

To: National Desk

Contact: Mark Medin, 954-478-3240, Monika Koplow, 954-938-8188, both of the Anti-Defamation League

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 18 /U.S. Newswire/ -- One of the country's largest and most virulent anti-Semitic and racist hate groups plans to undertake a major recruitment drive at the Daytona International Speedway during NASCAR's Daytona 500 Race on Sunday, February 20.

Among other claims, the neo-Nazi National Alliance (N.A.) says it has arranged for an airplane to fly over the racetrack with a banner that reads, "Love Your Race" and promoting the group's Web site. Members of the group also plan on handing out fliers in the parking lot near the nationally televised event.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which monitors extremist groups, has notified local and state law enforcement authorities of the planned recruitment effort, and is warning the public to beware the group's hateful agenda.

"Our concern is that people will think that the National Alliance is some kind of mainstream group, when in fact they are a dangerous extremist group," said Mark Medin, ADL Florida Regional Director. "The National Alliance clearly sees this high-profile gathering of NASCAR fans as a prime opportunity to spread their message of hate, or possibly to recruit new members."

According to postings by National Alliance members on the Internet, the Tampa unit, led by Todd Weingart, is coordinating the recruitment drive. The group's national leadership in West Virginia has indicated their support.

This is not the first time the group has targeted a NASCAR event. In November 2003, four members of the National Alliance reportedly handed out racist fliers, cards and tape recordings of their broadcasts at the NASCAR Winston Cup Race in North Carolina. At the time, the group said it was trying to exploit tensions around efforts by African-Americans to diversify the sport of car racing.

One of the largest and most active neo-Nazi organizations in the U.S., the N.A. has four chapters in Florida: Orlando, Tampa, Palm Beach and Gainesville. The group has recently spread racist and anti-Semitic literature in Ft. Myers, Davie and St. Petersburg, and has rented billboard space on the Florida Turnpike near Orlando.

In the last decade, the N.A. has enjoyed significant growth and has recently focused most of its attention on recruiting young racists. At the same time, the N.A. has tried to attract middle-class professionals willing to be part of a dedicated cadre that carries out the group's goals. Over the last several years, dozens of violent crimes, including murders, bombings and robberies have been traced to N.A. members or appear to have been inspired by the group's propaganda.