FAIRMONT, Minn. — An auto racing announcer in southern Minnesota is out for the remainder of the season following a racist rant he made throughout a aspect gig in Iowa final month, and the Minnesota observe promoter who supported him is now apologizing.

Fairmont Raceway promoter Jon McCorkell, in southern Minnesota, mentioned he is sorry for feedback he made in help of longtime announcer Lon Oelke. Oelke was fired from his aspect gig at an Iowa racetrack final month after he complained about individuals who refuse to face for the nationwide anthem to take a stand towards racial inequity.

McCorkell initially defended Oelke and mentioned he would help him at Fairmont. However now he says he has realized quite a bit concerning the points behind the protest. The raceway mentioned Oelke will take a go away of absence for the remainder of the season, the Star Tribune reported.

“I notice that I can not take again or repair what I mentioned, however I wish to say I used to be unsuitable and I’m sorry for the feedback that I made final week,” McCorkell mentioned in an announcement launched by the raceway.

“I’ve talked to many individuals on these points over the previous few days,” McCorkell mentioned. “I realized quite a bit about what a number of the underlying deeper points are for lots of people.

“I suppose I’ve realized that you simply can not all the time simply take a look at issues from your individual perspective. Typically you must maintain an open thoughts and to attempt to have a look at what issues are like from another person’s perspective.”

The Fairmont observe additionally canceled its Friday evening race card, saying current rains made the observe unsuitable for racing.

Earlier this month, Oelke was saying a race on the Kossuth County Speedway in Algona, Iowa, when he mentioned he wished to make “a public service announcement.” He went on to complain about individuals who take a knee or will not stand for the nationwide anthem.

“I’ve received 4 phrases for you: Discover a completely different nation when you will not do it,” he mentioned. “Get the hell out of Dodge.” He additionally criticized the NFL’s plans to play “Carry Each Voice and Sing,” typically known as the Black nationwide anthem, earlier than video games this season.

He mentioned his remarks have been “for these people, I suppose the darker-toned pores and skin coloration, I will simply say, Blacks. They need a distinct nationwide anthem and the NFL is considering doing it. I simply say shut the TVs off and allow them to play in entrance of no person.”

McCorkell initially supported Oelke, saying the announcer would get a standing ovation the following time he was in Fairmont, a metropolis of 10,000 residents 130 miles (210 kilometers) southwest of the Twin Cities. However final Friday, there was no ovation or particular recognition of Oelke.