NASCAR Backs Removal of Confederate Flag

Since last week’s massacre at Emanuel AME Church, there has been an uproar over South Carolina’s use of the confederate flag, which sits outside their state house. A flag donned by the Confederate Army during the Civil War, it has now been adopted by white supremacists.  Dylann Roof, the accused church shooter, was even seen posing with the flag prior to his killing spree.

Now, NASCAR has issued a statement, formally supporting South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s bill to remove the confederate flag from the S.C. state house.

NASCAR Backs Removal of Confederate Flag

“As we continue to mourn the tragic loss of life last week in Charleston, we join our nation’s embrace of those impacted,” the press release started. “NASCAR supports the position that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley took on the Confederate Flag on Monday.”

As for their long standing policy on the flag’s usage at their events, “As our industry works collectively to ensure that all fans are welcome at our races, NASCAR will continue our long-standing policy to disallow the use of the Confederate Flag symbol in any official NASCAR capacity. While NASCAR recognizes that freedom of expression is an inherent right of all citizens, we will continue to strive for an inclusive environment at our events.”

Now, while not all NASCAR fans support the use of the confederate flags, some individuals have still hung them while tailgating. In the past, the racing giant supported a flag exchange program, where the confederate symbol could be swapped for a driver’s flag, according to ESPN.

NASCAR’s next race is the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on June 28.