"Have you ever seen anything like this happen before? Is there any kind of precedent for tracks preventing NASCAR promotions from happening?"
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I haven't seen any scandal like this happen before to my knowledge. There was a bit of a problem with the "Hooters" organization having their "chicks" appear at Hooters sponsored races but this is a family deal.
Racers, Race Car owners and Nascar all must agree to have done this because of all the money involved and guidelines of being a sponsor and for the race cars. Warner Bros. had to do this too and they had their life size suited animals (Bugs, Daffy, whatnot) in the trucks with the drivers greeting the fans.
I believe that the Chicagoland created all this ruckus for nothing.
I have no idea why they chose to do this for this race, it makes them and NBC look very unorganized and slightly biased.
Sponsors are sponsors, you take them seriously. Without them, there would be no NASCAR or NBC so they shouldn't trivialize The Muppets or any other reputable sponsor.
This incident was the first of its kind that I know of that was of this level.
Oh and thanks for the welcome!!