NASCAR has banned the Confederate flag from its races and properties, formally distancing itself from what has been a familiar sight at stock car events for more than 70 years.
Key points:
- NASCAR announced it would ban the Confederate flag ahead of its final race in Martinsville, Virginia.
- NASCAR’s only African-American driver, Bubba Wallace, called for flag ban
- NASCAR previously attempted to ban the flag in 2015, but faced a backlash from the sport’s fans.
The move comes amid social unrest across the world following the death in police custody of George Floyd, an unarmed black man in Minneapolis.
Protests have rocked the nation for days, with Confederate monuments being taken down across the South — NASCAR’s traditional fan base.
Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s only black driver, this week called for a ban on the Confederate flag and said there was “no place” for them in the sport.
The Confederate flag has been a common sight in NASCAR infields throughout the sport’s history. (AP: Terry Renna)
On Wednesday, NASCAR answered the call.
“The presence of the Confederate flag at NASCAR events runs counter to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR said in a statement.
“Bringing people together around the love of racing and the community it creates is what makes our fans and our sport special.
“The display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited at all NASCAR events and properties.”
The decision was announced ahead of Wednesday night’s race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, where Wallace, an Alabama native, drove a Chevrolet with #BlackLivesMatter paint.
Wallace received encouragement on Twitter from several athletes, including NBA star LeBron James, for using the paint scheme during the race.
The flag issue is a thorny one for NASCAR. Former chairman Brian France tried to ban the Confederate flag from racetracks in 2015, but he faced a strong backlash from the sport’s conservative fans.
NASCAR has not explained how it will enforce the policy or what penalties it will impose on fans who violate it by bringing the Confederate flag onto the track.
NASCAR has not raced with fans since the sport resumed last month due to the coronavirus pandemic, but minimal numbers of fans were expected to be allowed at races later this month in Florida and Georgia.
Confederate flags still fly high atop the indoor motorhomes and are waved by fans in the grandstands at most tracks.
NASCAR has been more open in recent times to eradicating the Confederate flag.
Several drivers, including two-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin, have said they support Wallace in his quest to rid the sport of the flag.
The mostly white pilots came together this weekend for a video promoting social change.
A black NASCAR official, Kirk Price, took a knee before Sunday’s race near Atlanta, in what could be a first for the series.
Wallace wore a black T-shirt with the words “I can’t breathe” during the race.
