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NASCAR's Brian France 'surprised' by furor over Donald Trump endorsement

Related Topics: Brian France, NASCAR, Donald Trump, France

NEW YORK — Brian France, NASCAR's chairman and CEO, says he was "surprised" by the backlash to his personal endorsement of Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump.

But France admits he probably shouldn't have been shocked by the reaction. His own wife warned him endorsing Trump would cause a storm.

"I was surprised a little bit. As it turns out, he’s a polarizing figure. I probably shouldn’t have been as surprised as I was," France said during a meeting with Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).

NASCAR policy has always allowed drivers to support their own political candidates.