Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Breaking news
NASCAR Cup Daytona II

NASCAR strengthens stance on Confederate flag

Sanctioning body and tracks ask fans to refrain from displaying stars and bars.

Lee Spencer
Lee Spencer
Edited:
Flags in the Daytona infield
Brian France, CEO and chairman of NASCAR
Darlington atmosphere
This is Talladega
The Confederate flag near the Karussell
Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins
Dale Earnhardt Jr. speaks onstage after winning the Most Popular Driver at the NMPA Myers Brothers Awards Luncheon
Talladega signage
NASCAR could not make its position on the Confederate battle flag any more clear than it did on Thursday morning. 
 
After dancing around the subject since Governor Nikki Haley called for the flag to be removed from the South Carolina State House grounds on June 22, following the racially motivated shooting of nine African Americans at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, the sanctioning body — along with racetracks that hold NASCAR events — is asking fans not to wave the stars and bars at races.
 
“As members of the NASCAR industry, we join NASCAR in the desire to make our events among the most fan-friendly, welcoming environments in all of sports and entertainment,” NASCAR stated in its release.
 
“To do that, we are asking our fans and partners to join us in a renewed effort to create an all-inclusive, even more welcoming atmosphere for all who attend our events. This will include the request to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at our facilities and NASCAR events.
 
“We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere free of offensive symbols. This is an opportunity for NASCAR Nation to demonstrate its sense of mutual respect and acceptance for all who attend our events while collectively sharing the tremendous experience of NASCAR racing.”
 
NASCAR's most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is one of just two North Carolinians competing full-time in the Sprint Cup Series, said on Friday he supports the sanctioning body's decision.
 
"I stand behind NASCAR’s stance to remove it," Earnhardt said. "I think it is offensive to an entire race. It really does nothing for anybody to be there, flying. It belongs in the history books and that’s about it."
 
NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France released a statement on Saturday that said, "NASCAR will maintain its long-standing policy preventing the use of the Confederate Flag in any official position at our events. In all areas that NASCAR controls on a given race weekend, the flag has no presence.
 
“We have been clear in support of this position throughout our industry and to those across the country who have called for the eradication of the Confederate Flag. We will be as aggressive as possible to disassociate NASCAR events from an offensive and divisive symbol. We are working with the industry right now to achieve that goal.”
 
However, Thursday's release took that sentiment one step further with a proactive, far-reaching step aimed at eliminating the presence of the Confederate battle flag from sanctioned events entirely. 
 

The release included the following list of signatories that shared NASCAR's stance:

International Speedway Corporation (ISC)

Auto Club Speedway

Chicagoland Speedway

Darlington Raceway

Daytona International Speedway

Homestead-Miami Speedway

Kansas Speedway

Martinsville Speedway

Michigan International Speedway

Phoenix International Raceway

Richmond International Raceway

Route 66 Raceway

Talladega Superspeedway

Watkins Glen International

Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI)

Atlanta Motor Speedway

Bristol Motor Speedway

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Kentucky Speedway

Las Vegas Motor Speedway

New Hampshire Motor Speedway

Sonoma Raceway

Texas Motor Speedway

Dover International Speedway

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Pocono Raceway

Iowa Speedway

Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Road America

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Eldora Speedway

Gateway Motorsports Park

 

Share Or Save This Story

Previous article Chevrolet signs on as 'founding partner' of DAYTONA Rising project
Next article Another new-winner on the horizon at Daytona?

Top Comments
More from
Lee Spencer

Harvick reflects on career after Atlanta win, honors Dale Earnhardt

NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Atlanta
Harvick reflects on career after Atlanta win, honors Dale Earnhardt

Chase Elliott: "We have a lot of work to do" after Atlanta showing

NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Atlanta
Chase Elliott: "We have a lot of work to do" after Atlanta showing

Harvick leads veteran charge at Atlanta Motor Speedway

NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Atlanta
Harvick leads veteran charge at Atlanta Motor Speedway
More from
Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a largely throwback All Star Race idea

NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
All-Star Race
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a largely throwback All Star Race idea

Dale Jr. rejects electric SUVs; details preferred O’Reilly Series changes

NASCAR O'Reilly
NASCAR O'Reilly
Talladega
Dale Jr. rejects electric SUVs; details preferred O’Reilly Series changes

Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighs in on Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch spat

NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Kansas
Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighs in on Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch spat
More from
Hendrick Motorsports

Why Chase Elliott wants more Saturday night NASCAR races

NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
North Wilkesboro
Why Chase Elliott wants more Saturday night NASCAR races

Chase Elliott to make rare NASCAR Truck start at North Wilkesboro

NASCAR Truck
NASCAR Truck
Lime Rock
Chase Elliott to make rare NASCAR Truck start at North Wilkesboro

Winners and losers from a thrilling NASCAR Cup return to Chicagoland

NASCAR Cup
NASCAR Cup
Chicago
Winners and losers from a thrilling NASCAR Cup return to Chicagoland

Latest news

NASCAR Cup North Wilkesboro starting lineup: Blaney on pole with qualifying cancelled

NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
North Wilkesboro
NASCAR Cup North Wilkesboro starting lineup: Blaney on pole with qualifying cancelled

Lewis Hamilton hailed as a "legend" after emotional fan interaction at F1 Belgian GP

Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Belgian GP
Lewis Hamilton hailed as a "legend" after emotional fan interaction at F1 Belgian GP

James Vowles details how Williams maintains Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon's trust

Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Belgian GP
James Vowles details how Williams maintains Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon's trust

Damson Idris teases "exciting conversations" over "F1 The Movie" sequel

Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Belgian GP
Damson Idris teases "exciting conversations" over "F1 The Movie" sequel