In this July 4, 2015, file photo, confederate and American flags fly on top of motor homes at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
In this July 4, 2015, file photo, confederate and American flags fly on top of motor homes at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. AP
Herb Scribner
By Herb Scribner

NASCAR has decided to ban Confederate flags at racetracks, according to ESPN.

  • The decision came two days after Bubba Wallace called on the racing company to ban the flag from the tracks.
  • NASCAR said Wednesday:

“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.”

What Wallace said

  • On Monday, Wallace told CNN that the biggest step for NASCAR was to ban the flag.
  • He said: “My next step would be to get rid of all Confederate flags. 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.”

Why it matters:

  • NPR said: “The red flag with blue bars and white stars, which the Sons of Confederate Veterans adopted as a symbol of Southern heritage, has been linked to NASCAR almost since its inception.
  • Darlington Raceway in South Carolina often displayed the flag prominently, according to NPR.

Social media reaction

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Here’s what people said on social media about the decision:

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