NASCAR driver gets punished for voting in the election
NASCAR Truck Series driver Ty Majeski proudly voted at his local polling place in Wisconsin on Tuesday. He even marked the occasion by posting a photo of himself with an “I Voted” sticker on X, where the 30-year-old encouraged others to “Go Vote!”
But Majewski’s decision to personally participate in the democratic process was rewarded this week with a $12,500 fine, as the stock car circuit penalized him on Tuesday for failing to fulfill his media duties.
Majeski is one of four drivers who can win the truck title Friday night at Phoenix Raceway. He spoke to owners of Thorsport Racing and they all agreed he would vote in person on Tuesday.
He has since called the punishment “unprecedented” and added that he will appeal the decision.
“I felt like I had to do my duty as an American citizen to vote. My team owners and I have all made the decision to exercise that right,” he said.
NASCAR’s Ty Majeski proudly voted at his local polling place in Wisconsin on Tuesday
Majewski (center right) took part in the media presence in Avondale, Arizona on Thursday
A NASCAR spokesperson said the team never disclosed that Majeski was unavailable because he was voting.
Majeski said he didn’t know he would be in the fourth championship until last week after the Martinsville race, when he finished 11th to move up in points. The 30-year-old Majeski will compete with Corey Heim, Christian Eckes and Grant Enfinger in his bid for his first Truck Series title.
‘This has never happened before. Election Day, everyone knew it was Election Day for a long time,” he said. “These are unfortunate circumstances for everyone.”
Majeski said he has always been one to vote on Election Day and has never filled out an absentee ballot.
“I wanted to make sure my vote was counted,” he said.
The $12,500 fine was worth it for Majewski, who received a slew of supportive messages on X.
The $12,500 fine was worth it for Majewski, who received a lot of support online
Ty Majeski, driver of the #98 Road Ranger Ford, drives during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Zip Buy Now, Pay Later 200 at Martinsville Speedway on November 1
“Priorities on point,” wrote a new fan. ‘Good job man. Ruin their fine.”
“Expensive sticker, totally worth it,” another added. ‘Thank you for voting.’
One fan seemed to suggest the fine was part of a larger conspiracy: “I think @NASCAR was upset with the way you voted since you live in a swing state. I wouldn’t expect anything less, they’re so far from their roots it’s laughable at this point.”
Several people questioned whether the fine was legal.
“Dude got punished for voting,” someone asked. ‘Isn’t this illegal?
There are 28 states that guarantee that workers must be given some time off to vote, including Wisconsin, where employers are required to have their staff work three consecutive hours, according to the Wisconsin.Gov.