NASCAR has banned confederate flags, following an announcement last week that it “has to do better”, and a campaign by the league’s only African-American driver to prohibit flying the flag at races.
“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,” a statement read.
“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.”
Bubba Wallace is the Cup series’ only African-American driver.
On Monday, Wallace petitioned to have all confederate flags from the racetrack.
Over the weekend, he wore a shirt emblazoned with the slogan “I Can’t Breathe/Black Lives Matter” before Sunday’s NASCAR race in Atlanta.
“My next step would be to get rid of all Confederate flags,” he told CNN on Monday.
“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.”
The 26-year-old, who drives the No. 43 car for Richard Petty Motorsports, recognized there would be a “lot of angry people” but insisted he would not be swayed.
“There’s going to be a lot of angry people that carry those flags proudly, but it’s time for change,” he said. “We have to change that, and I encourage NASCAR — we will have those conversations to remove those flags.
“We should not be able to have an argument over that,” he said, with regards to whether the flag should be allowed or not. “It is a thick line we cannot cross anymore.”
On Tuesday, Richard Petty Motorsports announced Wallace would drive a car with a Black Lives Matter paint scheme in the race to promote racial equality.
In a WKRG video interview posted on Wednesday, Wallace said he thinks the new design will “speak volumes.”
Nascar itself bans the use of the Confederate flag on its cars and merchandise, but currently does not prevent fans from bringing it to fly during races.
“Why not dive straight to the root? Putting #BlackLivesMatter on the car, the most powerful hashtag going around,” Wallace said in the WKRG interview.
The car, a No. 43 Chevrolet, will be painted black with a logo on the hood of a black hand holding a white one.
The front and back of the car will read “Compassion, Love, Understanding.”
“I’m excited for this opportunity to run #BlackLivesMatter on the car for Martinsville,” Wallace added.
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