NASCAR banned the Confederate flag from its races and properties on
Wednesday, formally distancing itself from what for many is a
symbol of slavery and racism that had been a familiar sight at
stock car events for more than 70 years.
The move comes amid social unrest around the globe following the
death in police custody of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in
Minneapolis. Protests have roiled the nation for days and
Confederate monuments are being taken down across the South – the
tradtiional fan base for NASCAR.
Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s lone black driver, called this week for the
banishment of the Confederate flag and said there was no place
for them in the sport. At long last, NASCAR obliged.
“The presence of the confederate flag at NASCAR events runs
contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive
environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR
said. “Bringing people together around a love for racing and the
community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special.
The display of the confederate flag will be prohibited from all
NASCAR events and properties.”
The move was announced before Wednesday night’s race at
Martinsville Speedway where Wallace, an Alabama native, was driving
a Chevrolet with a #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme. Wallace got a
shoutout on Twitter from several athletes, including NBA star
LeBron James, for using the paint scheme in the race.
The flag issue has been a thorny one for NASCAR. Former chairman
Brian France in 2015 tried to ban the flying of Confederate flags
at race tracks, angering many fans.
NASCAR did not address how it would enforce the policy or indicate
any penalties for fans who violate it by bringing the Confederate
flag to the track. NASCAR has not raced with fans since the sport
resumed last month amid the pandemic and was expected to have
minimal fans allowed at races this month in Florida and Georgia.
Confederate flags still fly high atop infield RVs and are waved by
fans in the grandstands at most tracks. NASCAR has been more open
in recent times to the eradication of the Confederate flag. Several
drivers – including two-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin –
said they supported Wallace in his quest to rid the sport of the
flag.
The predominantly white field of drivers united over the weekend
for a video promoting social change. A black NASCAR official, Kirk
Price, took a knee before Sundays race near Atlanta in what may
have been a first for the series. Wallace wore a black T-shirt with
the words “I Can’t Breathe” at the race.
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