NASCAR Bans Confederate Flag At All Events, Properties

CHARLOTTE, NC — NASCAR banned the Confederate flag at all its motorsport events and properties, the racing body announced Wednesday afternoon.

The news comes in the wake of widespread national and international protest for racial justice following the death of George Floyd, 46, who died while in police custody late last month. Video from the scene showed former police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on a handcuffed Floyd's neck as Floyd cried out, saying he couldn't breathe.

NASCAR released the following statement:

“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. 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.”

Wednesday the U.S. Navy announced it would be banning the Confederate flag at all its installations, following a similar announcement made last week by the U.S. Marine Corps.

“For more than a century, the Confederate flag has stood as a symbol of white supremacy and the enslavement of Black people," said Lecia Brooks of the Southern Poverty Law Center said following the Marine Corps' announcement.

"Thank you, [NASCAR] for doing the right thing," said Vi Lyles, mayor of Charlotte, where NASCAR has its headquarters. "You are so central to our Carolina culture and I'm glad spectators and fans of all races, particularly Black fans like me, will feel more welcomed and respected at your events!"

Earlier this week Bubba Wallace — NASCAR's only black driver in its top level Cup Series — called on NASCAR to ban the flag from the sport, saying there was "no place" for the imagery in the sport.

NASCAR did not address how it would enforce the policy or indicate any penalties for fans who violate it by bringing the Confederate flag to the track. NASCAR has not raced with fans since the sport resumed last month amid the pandemic and was expected to have minimal fans allowed at races this month in Florida and Georgia.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.