NASCAR officially BANS the Confederate flag from its stadium

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NASCAR has officially banned the Confederate flag from its races and properties just a day after its only black driver, Bubba Wallace, demanded it be removed. 

On Wednesday, NASCAR officials said in a statement that the Confederate flag ‘runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry’.

‘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 statement reads. 

The move was announced before Wednesday night’s race at Martinsville Speedway where Wallace, an Alabama native, was driving Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 43 Chevrolet with a #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme. 

Wallace called this week for the banishment of the Confederate flag, saying there was ‘no place’ for them in the sport. 

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He said the stock car series, which has deep ties to the South, should formally distance itself from what for millions is a symbol of slavery and racism.

‘No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race,’ the 26-year-old Alabama native told CNN on Monday.

‘So it starts with Confederate flags. Get them out of here. They have no place for them.’ 

Wallace was speaking following Sunday’s race in Atlanta in which he wore an ‘I Can’t Breathe’ shirt during the national anthem in a reference to the recent killing of George Floyd, a black man who died under the knee of Minneapolis cop, Derek Chauvin.  

Confederate flags are a common sight for NASCAR, which originated in the south and remain a large part of the region’s identity.

Wallace explained that he’s been forcing himself to ignore the Confederate flags waving in crowds and parking lots at NASCAR events, but he no longer thinks that’s the right thing to do.

‘The narrative on that before is: “I wasn’t bothered by it, but I don’t speak for everybody else; I speak for myself; what I am chasing is checkered flags,” and that was kind of my narrative.’

‘But diving more into it and educating myself, people feel uncomfortable with that,’ he continued. 

‘People talk about that. That’s the first thing they bring up. So there’s going to be a lot of angry people that carry those flags proudly, but it’s time for change.’ 

Wallace was praised for his stance on Twitter from several athletes, including NBA star LeBron James, and for using the scheme in the race. 

While the Confederate flag remains a symbol of southern pride to some, its history is inextricably linked with slavery and the racist motivations behind the secession of the southern states in 1860. 

As Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stevens infamously said at the onset of the Civil War: ‘Our new [government’s] foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man.’

Wallace is not the only NASCAR driver promoting civil rights amid nationwide protests in the wake of Floyd’s killing.

Prior to the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the drivers released an 86-second video that displayed a unified statement against racial inequality.

Drivers including longtime star Jimmie Johnson and Wallace took turns reading part of the message, which said in part:

‘The events of recent weeks highlighted the work we still need to do as a nation to condemn racial inequality and racism. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others in the black community are heartbreaking … and can no longer be ignored.

‘The process begins with us listening and learning because understanding the problem is the first step in fixing it. We are committed to listening with empathy and with an open heart to better educate ourselves. We will use this education to advocate for change in our nation, our communities and most importantly in our own homes. Even after the headlines go away.

‘All of our voices, they make a difference. No matter how big or how small, it is all of our responsibility to no longer be silent. To no longer be silent. We just can’t stay silent. We’ve a long road ahead of us. But let’s commit to make the journey together.’

As the race was about to start, all 40 cars were summoned to a stop in front of the grandstands so NASCAR president Steve Phelps could deliver a message.

‘Those watching at home, thank you for your time. Our country is in pain and people are justifiably angry, demanding to be heard,’ Phelps said in a message the drivers could hear through their headsets.

‘The black community and all people of color have suffered in our country and it has taken far too long for us to hear their demands for change. Our sport must do better. Our country must do better.

‘The time is now to listen, to understand and to stand against racism and racial injustice. We ask our drivers, our competitors and all our fans to join us in this mission, to take a moment of reflection to acknowledge we must do better as a sport and join us as we may now pause and … listen.’

During Phelps’ message, a black NASCAR official could be seen kneeling on one knee – in the same manner as former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled during the playing of the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality.

The vow of stemming racial inequality comes less than two months after driver Kyle Larson was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing after using a racial slur during a virtual event. 

NASCAR indefinitely suspended Larson for violating its code of conduct policy.