Announcer returns to Minnesota racetrack after racist rant

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FAIRMONT, Minnesota (AP) An announcer who was fired by an Iowa racetrack after a racist rant was back behind the microphone in southern Minnesota last weekend, but he did not receive a standing ovation standing as promised because he was apparently uncomfortable with that shot, according to the promoter of the Fairmont Raceway.

Lon Oelke is the full-time announcer for Fairmont Raceway, where he worked Friday days after Kossuth County Speedway in Algona, Iowa, cut ties with him after he launched a racist rant this month against fans and black athletes who kneel during the national championship anthem to protest against racial inequalities.

Kossuth County Speedway said in a statement that its executives did not tolerate Oelkes’ comments, adding that management did not hear them during the race, but only after drawing attention on social media.

I think this may have all been taken out of context with social media a bit these days, Fairmont track promoter Jon McCorkell told the Star Tribune, adding that my guy was still hellish.

In a video posted to Twitter on Thursday, Oelke told the crowd during a race on July 15 that he wanted to make a social service announcement ahead of the national anthem. He condemned those who will not defend our flag or who kneel during the hymn.

I have four words for you: Find another country if you don’t, he said. Get out of the dodge.

Cheers from the crowd can be heard at this time. Oelke added that he was outraged that the NFL was planning to play the black national anthem before games this season for these people, I guess the darker skin color, I’ll just say blacks.

They want a different national anthem and the NFL is considering doing it, he said. I’m just saying turn off the televisions and let them play in front of no one.

After Oelkes in Iowa was fired, McCorkell wrote on Facebook that he agreed with Oelkes’ comments and said Oelke would absolutely announce the races on Friday night and receive a standing ovation. McCorkells’ Facebook post has since been deleted and on Friday there was no standing ovation. McCorkell told the Star Tribune that Oelke was uncomfortable with this.

Oelke was unavailable for comment on the Star Tribune on Friday. His phone number has been disconnected.

McCorkell told the newspaper that Oelke had support in the area.

Everyone is fundamentally of the same belief as us, said McCorkell. We are a nation under God, a national anthem and you stand up for it.

The Fairmont Raceway, a half-mile dirt track, sits on the Martin County Fairgrounds in Fairmont, approximately 130 miles (209.21 kilometers) southwest of the Twin Cities. Robin Celander, chairman of the fairs board, said on Monday that the fair would have no comment until the board discusses the situation.

Doug Peterson, a local farmer who serves as the racetrack chaplain, said he spoke with Oelke about the Iowa remarks, and Oelke expressed remorse.

He’s really sorry, Peterson said. I know Lon personally and believe he has love in his heart, not hate. Lonnie is not an enemy.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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