NASCAR appears to reject ads for assault-style weapons

NASCAR rejected advertising featuring assault-style weapons in its souvenir programs from several firearms companies, in what is being called a "gradual shift" on the company's policy on guns, CNN reported.

The apparent policy shift has some people in the firearms industry wondering where NASCAR stands on Second Amendment issues, CNN reported.

"They've got the drivers shooting off blanks in the winner's circle. It doesn't make any sense," David Dolbee, general manager of K-Var Corp., told the Washington Times. Dolbee said his company was denied an advertisement featuring multiple gun-related products, including an AK-47, the newspaper reported.

K-Var wanted to buy an ad in NASCAR's advertising book for the final 26 races of the year, according to Bleacher Report.

The ad rejections were first reported by the Washington Free Beacon.

NASCAR has business relationships with several gun retailers Bass Pro Shops and Gander Sports, which sell firearms, according to Bleacher Report. The NASCAR race in Bristol is co-sponsored by Bass Pro Shops and the National Rifle Association.

In an online post titled "NASCAR takes a hard left," the NRA criticized the rejection of advertising.

"It is not clear if NASCAR is now taking an official position in opposition to semi-automatic rifles —with the AR-15 variants often referred to as America's Rifle — and bolt action rifles," the NRA said. "What does seem clear, however, is that NASCAR doesn't want to see such things advertised in its official publication in the future: a decision that could easily alienate a great many of its most ardent fans."

"This is a colossal mistake. Do they not understand their own base?" Dolbee told CNN. "They are a sporting organization trying to take sides on a political issue. That never goes well for any company."

NASCAR has not issued an official statement on its position.