Marcus Lemonis is the CEO of Camping World, which happens to be the title sponsor of the Camping World Truck Series in NASCAR. Its subsidiary, Overton’s, is also a major sponsor in NASCAR of tracks and cars.
But while he has had a long affiliation with NASCAR and one of its second-tier racing series, Lemonis has been increasingly at odds with the leadership of the sport when it comes to Donald Trump.
Appearing on CNBC’s Power Lunch program on Wednesday, Lemonis didn't mince words about Trump’s comments after the Nazi rally in Charlottesville:
"There's no doubt that there is probably not many consumers in this country today that are in favor of what has been said in the last couple days and if they are, quite frankly, don't shop at my business," said Lemonis, who is CEO of Camping World and host of CNBC's "The Profit."
This is not the first time that Lemonis has spoken out about Trump. In 2015, Lemonis threatened to boycott NASCAR’s post-season awards banquet for the Truck Series he sponsors if it was held at Trump National Doral Miami as planned. The banquet was moved.
And he was none too happy when, several months later, NASCAR Chairman Brian France publicly endorsed Trump.
Not surprisingly, not everyone in the NASCAR community agrees with Lemonis. Retired driver Mark Martin, who was one of the sport’s biggest stars, had this to say:
Camping World has not threatened to pull out of NASCAR, probably because its affiliation with the sport has been highly profitable. The sponsorship that started in 2009 was extended in 2014 until 2022.
But the Truck Series has been on the decline recently. It lost one major team when Red Horse Racing folded in May and another major team, Brad Keselowski Racing, announced it would fold after this season.
Losing its title sponsor would put the series on life support.