NASCAR banned the Confederate flag from all events, but the flag was seen flying outside Talladega Speedway on Sunday in protest of the order.
“Vehicles lined the boulevard outside Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama, waving the flag and a plane flew above the track towing a banner of a Confederate flag that read, ‘Defund NASCAR,'” reports ESPN. “NASCAR has not stated how exactly it plans to stop fans from displaying the flag on track property, though none of the instances Sunday at Talladega were inside the facility.”
In a statement earlier this month, NASCAR responded to the Black Lives Matter protests embroiling the country by banning the Confederate flag.
“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,” said the organization. “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,”
Ed Sugg, who sells NASCAR merchandise, said fans are deeply disappointed that the flag has been banned from events.
“People are disappointed that NASCAR has taken that stance. It’s been around for as long as all of us have been. I don’t think anybody really connects it to any kind of racism or anything. It’s just a Southern thing. It’s transparent. It’s just a heritage thing,” said Sugg.
Not all NASCAR fans disagreed with the decision. David Radvansky, a longtime fan of the sport, said the organization made the right decision. “I don’t think there’s a place for it in NASCAR, to be honest with you,” he told ESPN. “That doesn’t sit well with all the good ol’ boys, but it is what it is.”
In response to the Confederate flag-waving, Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s executive vice president, tweeted a picture of black and white hands shaking with the caption: “You won’t see a photo of a jackass flying a flag over the track here…but you will see this…Hope EVERYONE enjoys the race today.”
Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s only black driver, said he supports banning the Confederate flag. “It’s been a long time coming for sure,” he told NPR. “And I know a lot of people are satisfied with the direction and the choices that NASCAR would make to change the image and move forward with the message that we’re trying to push across these days.”
Shortly after condemning the flag, Bubba Wallace claimed that he found a noose in his garage stall. NASCAR is currently investigating the incident.
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