NASCAR bans Confederate flags at all races, events

CNN — On Monday, the only full-time African American driver in NASCAR’s Cup Series called for the auto racing body to ban Confederate flags from its events. “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,” NASCAR said in a statement on its website hours ahead of its race Wednesday night in Martinsville, Virginia. The display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.” This week, driver Bubba Wallace told CNN’s Don Lemon he wanted NASCAR to go further than 2015, when it asked fans not to bring the Confederate flags to races. “Nonetheless, thank you, ⁦@NASCAR, for stepping out on the right side of history by banning Confederate flags at events and on properties.” Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., tweeted simply: “#NASCAR, family…” Wallace raced a black car with the words “#blacklivesmatter” on it Wednesday night when he finished 11th.