Midwest Raceway announcer on leave after racist comments at event

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A Minnesota racetrack announcer who made racist comments during a Kossuth County race earlier this month is taking time off. KCCI first reported on Lon Oelke’s comments last week. His comments were aimed at black fans and athletes who kneel during the national anthem. Despite the backlash he received online, the Fairmont Raceway in Minnesota gave him a standing ovation on Monday night which Oelke declined. Now Fairmont promoter Jon McCorkell apologizes for that promise. In a statement released Thursday, McCorkell said, “I’ve learned a lot about some of the deepest underlying issues for a lot of people.” An hour after that statement, the racetrack posted on Facebook that Oelke was taking time off. for the remainder of the racing season.

FAIRMONT, Minnesota –

A Minnesota racetrack announcer who made racist comments during a Kossuth County race earlier this month is taking time off.

KCCI first reported on Lon Oelke’s comments last week. His comments were aimed at black fans and athletes who kneel during the national anthem.

Despite the backlash he received online, the Fairmont Raceway in Minnesota gave him a standing ovation on Monday night which Oelke declined.

Now Fairmont promoter Jon McCorkell apologizes for that promise.

In a statement released Thursday, McCorkell said: “I have learned a lot about the deepest underlying issues for a lot of people.”

An hour after that statement, the racetrack posted on Facebook that Oelke was taking time off for the remainder of the racing season.

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