IndyCar pulls racing shirt after backlash over slogan

IndyCar just learned a tough lesson about how symbols can backfire. The racing league pulled a T-shirt from its store after fans pointed out that the slogan "ONE RACE" below a helmet-wearing Abraham Lincoln could be twisted into something ugly. The shirt was meant to celebrate the August Freedom 250 race, part of events marking the 250th anniversary of U. S. independence. But instead of capturing the spirit of unity it aimed for, the design sparked confusion and anger online. IndyCar responded by quietly removing the item and admitting the wording caused concern.The controversy highlights how even well-intentioned designs can miss the mark. The shirt featured Lincoln in a racing helmet, nodding to the race near Washington landmarks, including the Lincoln Memorial. Lincoln’s legacy includes ending slavery, making the choice of phrasing especially careless. Some fans saw "ONE RACE" as a nod to white supremacist ideas, while others just found it confusing. IndyCar’s quick removal shows they realized the mistake fast—but the damage to their image was already done. The race itself ties into bigger celebrations of American independence, with even the White House promoting the "Freedom 250" theme. Yet the shirt’s failure proves that patriotism doesn’t always translate smoothly into merchandise. Symbols carry weight, and when history’s heavy figures like Lincoln are involved, the wrong words can overshadow the message. IndyCar now faces questions about how they vet promotional items in the future.