NASCAR Bans Confederate Flags At Events

NASCAR has announced it is banning fans’ use of the Confederate flag at all future events, more than 150 years after the end of the American Civil War.

This decision comes amid nation-wide protests around the United States over the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement, following the death of George Floyd in police custody.

NASCAR banned the use of the flag less than 24 hours after the only full-time black NASCAR driver, Bubba Wallace, said the flags should be banned from races.

“My next step would be to get rid of all Confederate flags [at races],” Wallace said on an interview on CNN.

“There should be no individual that is uncomfortable showing up to our events to have a good time with their family that feels some type of way about something they’ve seen, an object they have seen flying.

“No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race.

“So it starts with Confederate flags.

“Get them out of here.

“They have no place for them,” he said.

Wallace also announced he will drive the No.43 car with a #BlackLivesMatter paint job for Wednesday night’s event at Martinsville Speedway.

NASCAR released a statement on social media following their decision to ban the flag, saying the connotations behind the use of the flag are conflicting to NASCARS values.

“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,” the statement 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,” NASCAR said.