“The presence of the accomplice flag at NASCAR occasions runs opposite to our dedication to offering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all
“The presence of the accomplice flag at NASCAR occasions runs opposite to our dedication to offering a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all followers, our rivals and our trade,” NASCAR stated. “Bringing individuals collectively round a love for racing and the group that it creates is what makes our followers and sport particular. The show of the accomplice flag will likely be prohibited from all NASCAR occasions and properties.”
The transfer was introduced earlier than Wednesday evening’s race at Martinsville Speedway the place Wallace, an Alabama native, was driving a Chevrolet with a #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme. Wallace bought a shoutout on Twitter from a number of athletes, together with NBA star LeBron James, for utilizing the paint scheme within the race.
The flag challenge has been a thorny one for NASCAR. Former chairman Brian France in 2015 tried to ban the flying of Accomplice flags at race tracks, angering many followers.
NASCAR didn’t deal with how it could implement the coverage or point out any penalties for followers who violate it by bringing the Accomplice flag to the monitor. NASCAR has not raced with followers because the sport resumed final month amid the pandemic and was anticipated to have minimal followers allowed at races this month in Florida and Georgia.
Accomplice flags nonetheless fly excessive atop infield RVs and are waved by followers within the grandstands at most tracks. NASCAR has been extra open in current instances to the eradication of the Accomplice flag. A number of drivers — together with two-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin — stated they supported Wallace in his quest to rid the game of the flag.
The predominantly white subject of drivers united over the weekend for a video selling social change. A black NASCAR official, Kirk Value, took a knee earlier than Sunday’s race close to Atlanta in what might have been a primary for the collection. Wallace wore a black T-shirt with the phrases “I Can’t Breathe” on the race.