Well they helped me so I thought they were cool. I mean, my "prod it with a stick" would get it to go right down the middle of the road but not off to the edges, I wasn't brave enough to pick it up by the tail. Maybe I had this on my mind
You're fine. As one of those "rednecks" my problem wasn't with what you were saying, it's obvious it wasn't malicious in intent. The person who replied to you with their accusations of racism (??) was clout-seeking/rage-baiting at your expense and I call those kinds of people out in an instant.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-Tech_Redneck
It certainly breaks the stereotype that they all drive pickup trucks.