IndyCar distances itself from Homeland Security social media imagery

The IndyCar Series has distanced itself from the imagery chosen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a social media post on Tuesday that announces a new detention program in the state of Indiana and includes a rendering of a Dallara DW12 IndyCar with branding from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) on its sidepods.

The white No. 5 IndyCar, which uses the same number as Mexico’s Pato O’Ward – the series’ most popular driver – is shown on an oval with a prison in the background along with a caption of "Speedway Slammer" and a checkered flag.

The "Speedway Slammer" nickname is in relation to the Miami Correctional Facility state prison situated on the Grissom Joint Air Reserve Base approximately 70 miles north of Speedway, Indiana, home of the Indianapolis 500. Confirmed on Tuesday, the base will hold up to 1000 ICE detainees.

“We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of today’s announcement,” IndyCar said in a statement. “Consistent with our approach to public policy and political issues, we are communicating our preference that our IP not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter.”