DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – After posting an anti-gay slur to Instagram in September, NASCAR driver Nelson Piquet has been fined $10,000, put on probation by the racing organization, and received a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal from fast food chain Chick-fil-A.
“We feel that Mr. Piquet accurately embodies the values of our restaurant and customers,” said Chick-fil-A founder and CEO S. Truett Cathy. “Making him the face of our franchise is a win-win for everyone.”
The Instagram post that provoked Piquet’s fine was aimed at fellow Nationwide Series driver Parker Kligerman. In the post, Piquet referred to Kligerman using a three-letter slur for homosexual, which violated NASCAR’s code of conduct. Apart from the fine, Piquet will have to take part in sensitivity training.
“Nelson’s a total homophobic prick” said fellow NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth of Joe Gibbs Racing. “The fact that he found such a lucritive sponsorship deal with a company that shares his overwhelmingly offensive beliefs is a testament to the American dream. I’m happy for him.”
As part of his probation, the 28-year-old Brazilian driver has apologized for his comments, saying that the ordeal has been “a cultural learning experience.”
Cathy, however, is hoping Piqyet’s fans understand that the apology was utterly bogus. “We’re creating life-sized standees for our restaurants of Piquet smiling and holding a Chick-fil-A Chargrilled Chicken Club Sandwhich while saying “Don’t be a [the three-letter slur for homosexual used by Piquet in his Instagram post]. Eat a Chick-fil-A Chargrilled Chicken Club Sandwhich today!”
