ALGONA – An Algona auto races announcer recently uttered racist remarks as onlookers cheered the hate dripping from his muzzle, bringing worldwide shame to the racetrack and Northern Iowa via widespread media coverage of the outrageous incident.
According to a statement via the Kossuth County Speedway:
“On July 15th, 2021 a statement was made over the public address system by a fill-in track announcer at Kossuth County Speedway (KCS) regarding the National Football League’s (NFL) discussion of playing the Black National Anthem before football games. Unless you are sitting in the stands (which track management is not), the public address system is not easily heard. The comment was brought to track management’s attention by a post made later on social media. Kossuth County Speedway and the Kossuth County Fair Board do not condone the comments made by the fill-in announcer. We do not tolerate discrimination at our racing events and welcome race fans of all color, gender, religion, and creed to join our racing family. We also want to clarify that these comments were not made by Chad Meyer, the usual track announcer at KCS. We acknowledge that though this is an isolated incident, that does not make it okay. Going forward, we wilt no longer be employing the individual who made those comments as a fill-in announcer at any of our track events. We will not comment further on this incident because there are no further comments to be made: it was not okay, and it will not be happening again. Kossuth County Speedway looks forward to proving to our fans, drivers, and crews that we can and will do better.”
The Kossuth County Speedway apparently thinks “doing better” involves protecting the name of the now-fired announcer, as they refused to release his name. However, according to BlackEnterprise.com, “The Fairmont Raceway in Fairmont, Minnesota has since identified the announcer on its Facebook page as their longtime track announcer, Lon Oelke. Not only did the Minnesota raceway’s promoter Jon McCorkell say that Oelke will “absolutely be announcing” their races on Friday night, but added that he would receive a standing ovation going into the national anthem. McCorkell noted that he agreed ‘with all of Lon’s comments and opinions’ with others chiming in with their support.”
In a video posed to the Internet – but since removed – Oelke said to the race patrons that evening that he had “a social service announcement” to make prior to the national anthem being played. Oelke lashed out at anyone who “won’t stand for our flag” or “take a knee” during the national anthem.
“I’ve got four words for you: Find a different country if you won’t do it … Get the hell out of dodge,” Oelke trumpeted as the crowd roared in approval.  He then uttered racist remarks involving skin tone color and “blacks” in the National Football League.
Worldwide coverage via countless media outlets brought the local incident to millions, bringing shame and confusion to non-racists who dwell in North Iowa.
