NASCAR fans have slammed the instrumental performance by the Red Sea of Sound marching band from Winston-Salem State University before Saturday’s Cook Out Clash.
Winston-Salem State’s football team plays at Bowman Gray Stadium, where the race was held.
Yet, it felt like there was no home-field advantage to some, as instruments appeared out of tune and not in sync with each other.
NASCAR’s Clash race is the federation’s preseason race, meaning it does not count towards the points total in its annual championship.
One of the NASCAR drivers at the forefront of the sport, Chase Elliott, won the non-championship race at Bowman Gray Stadium.
Yet, the lasting memory from the race happened before the green flag was displayed.
NASCAR fans have slammed the instrumental performance by the Red Sea of Sound band
One of the foremost NASCAR drivers, Chase Elliott, won the non-championship race
‘What a horrible and disrespectful performance by that marching band at Bowman Gray stadium,’ one NASCAR fan said on social media. ‘I’ve seen better renditions of the National Anthem by a middle school.’
‘@NASCAR worst national anthem I’ve ever heard at the #clash. NASCAR has gone so woke it’s ridiculous,’ another person said.
‘Hopefully that National Anthem isn’t a sign of what is to come this season for NASCAR #NASCARClash,’ a motorsports fan said.
‘The racist statements because NASCAR had an HBCU marching band do a national anthem in 2025 is a little concerning,’ a fourth stated.
‘Worst National Anthem ever! #NASCAR,’ one more NASCAR fan concluded.
A collection of social-media messages about the national anthem before Saturday’s race
NASCAR nor Winston-Salem State have commented further about the performance.
This was the first year that the race has been in North Carolina after three seasons in Los Angeles and a long stay in Daytona, Florida before that.
There has yet to be any word on whether Winston-Salem will retain the race for the 2026 season.
The quality of national anthem typically is not an indicator of those decisions.
