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NASCAR Chairman Brian France’s interest in politics is not new

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NASCAR CEO Brian France explains why he's endorsing Donald Trump for the upcoming presidential election.

Although NASCAR Chairman Brian France endorsed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday, it’s not the first time France has supported political candidates.

France has contributed nearly $200,000 to candidates or PACs since Feb. 2014, according to data from the Federal Election Commission and the Center for Responsive Politics.

France’s contributions are nearly 10 times more than what the commissioners of the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball combined to give during the same time, according to the Center for Responsive Politics and Federal Election Commission. Roger Goodell, commissioner of the NFL, gave the most of the group at $13,100. Rob Manfred, commissioner of Major League Baseball, gave no contributions.

Records from the Center for Responsive Politics show France making political contributions as far back as 1992.

Political contributions France made last year were:
• $100,000 to the New Republican PAC on April 27, 2015.
• $25,000 to the Republican National Committee on Nov. 20, 2015.
• $25,000 to Right to Rise USA on March 11, 2015.
• $25,000 to Right to Rise USA on Feb. 24, 2015.
• $5,000 to Jobs, Opportunity & New Ideas PAC on June 5, 2015.
• $5,000 to International Speedway’s PAC, Speed PAC, on May 28, 2015.
• $2,700 to Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio on Sept. 23, 2015
• $2,700 to Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush on Sept. 30, 2015.
• $2,700 to Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina on Sept. 30, 2015.
• $2,300 to U.S. Rep. Richard L. Hudson, Republican serving 8th Congressional district from North Carolina, on Oct. 19, 2015.
• $2,075 to the National Republican Congressional Committee on Nov. 10, 2015.

Right to Rise is a super PAC that supported Jeb Bush’s campaign for President.

Jobs, Opportunity & New Ideas is a PAC that states on its website its mission of working “to elect conservative candidates and support elected leaders from across our great nation who pledge to maintain a strong national defense while ensuring the promises made to America’s brave veterans are kept; protect our constitutional rights and individual liberties; and enact proven economic policies that will allow more of our hard-working families to achieve the American Dream.’’

International Speedway Corp.’s PAC, Speed PAC, features contributions from ISC and NASCAR employees.

Federal Election Commission records show that the Speed PAC had $110,910.86 on Jan. 31, 2016.

Records show that the PAC contributed $1,000 on Jan. 14 to the campaign of Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Democrat who represents the 17th district in Pennsylvania. His district includes Pocono Raceway.

Records also show that the PAC contributed $1,000 on Jan. 27 to the campaign of Rep. Bill Posey, a Republican who represents the 8th district in Florida and is a former racer.

The PAC also contributed $1,000 on Jan. 28 to the campaign of Rep. Tom Rice, a Republican who represents the 7th district in South Carolina. Darlington Raceway is in his district.

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