“Ever since I was a little bitty boy, a car had to be my toy”—these words are part of Mojo Nixon’s verse in the famous song, ‘I Wanna Race Bigfoot Trucks.‘ In an unfortunate turn of events, Nixon passed away on Wednesday from a heart-related irregularity. At the age of 66, the musician and actor had given the fans countless memories and tunes to dance to. He was on the Outlaw Country Cruise as a co-host and performer in his last moments.

In NASCAR, Nixon’s music brand has resonated very well. Unfiltered and unapologetic, Mojo Nixon naturally found a massive following in the NASCAR community. Having expressed his wish to drive a NASCAR car in one of his songs, he has been a cult hero, if you will. Following his untimely demise, the community couldn’t hold back its sadness and expressed its feelings on social media platforms. Renowned motorsports journalists Jeff Gluck and Matt Weaver have also voiced their admiration for Nixon and sadness for his death.

The NASCAR community’s tribute to Mojo Nixon and his unbeatable legacy

Nixon’s rise in the music industry coincided with one of the most competitive eras of NASCAR in 1987. Along with his partner Skid Roper, Nixon produced his flagship song, ‘Elvis is Everywhere,’ which received rave reviews and became one of the most played songs on MTV that year. Following his unfortunate demise, his family conveyed the information by describing his spirit of freedom and how he entertained his fans even in his final moments. The family statement read,

“How you live is how you should die. Mojo Nixon was full-tilt, wide-open rock hard, root hog, corner on two wheels + on fire… Passing after a blazing show, a raging night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners, + a good breakfast with bandmates and friends. A cardiac event on the Outlaw Country Cruise is about right… & that’s just how he did it, Mojo has left the building. Since Elvis is everywhere, we know he was waiting for him in the alley out back. Heaven help us all.”

Over the years, Mojo Nixon hasn’t just sung about NASCAR. He used to be a regular presence on the trackside, interact with different people, visit various podcasts as a guest, and voice his love for the sport. Having known and worked with him, popular NASCAR journalist Jeff Gluck was pained to hear the news of Nixon’s death. Gluck tweeted, “Stunned and heartbroken to see this news. Mojo was one of the coolest and most unassuming dudes considering all he’d accomplished and was massively supportive. What a tremendous loss in so many ways. Dammit.”

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In the same tweet, Jeff Gluck reiterated the instances of collaborating with Mojo Nixon, including an appearance on NASCAR on the NBC podcast. He also unearthed a sponsorship offer from the former musician to offer one of Gluck’s newsletters six years ago. Nixon was undoubtedly a benevolent man with an eye for quality.

Matt Weaver and Bob Pockrass also voice their grief

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Following the example of Jeff Gluck, Matt Weaver commented about Nixon’s flamboyance being missed by his fans. He wrote, “The world is a much bleaker place without Mojo Nixon. I am so incredibly sad.”

As Weaver claimed, the world will lose a colorful mind that stands for freedom of speech. Like a NASCAR driver, Mojo Nixon was expressive and showcased his emotions through professional excellence. Nixon’s passion for music made him question the censorship authority and its right to stop controversial lines from reaching the people. In his words, “We don’t need a thought police.”

FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass also tweeted his thoughts on the significant loss to the NASCAR fandom, as he wrote, “Sad news. I always enjoyed seeing and talking with Mojo Nixon at the race track. RIP.” 

Dustin Albino, one of the members of the Manifold Destiny along with Gluck, was also devastated to hear the news. Voicing his dismay on Twitter, Albino posted, “This one hurts. Always enjoyed speaking with Mojo, whether at the track or on Manifold Destiny. He was such a unique character and incredibly kind.”

It is great to see that Mojo Nixon is still and will be largely celebrated and respected in the NASCAR community. Being one of the most vibrant and assertive NASCAR fans, his love for the sport is an example to many. A vast and loyal part of the fanbase will never forget him for some of the most iconic and soothing hits of his time. EssentiallySports extends its heartfelt condolences to Mojo Nixon’s family, friends, and fans worldwide.

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