NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, announced Wednesday afternoon that it was banning the confederate flag from its events and its properties, according to statement released on it’s website at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The following is the statement it released:
“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.”
The ban led to one NASCAR driver announcing on Facebook that he would be ending his career.
Ray Ciccarelli made the announcement in a Facebook post Wednesday shortly after NASCAR banned Confederate flags from all events.
“I don’t believe in kneeling during Anthem nor taken ppl right to fly what ever flag they love,” he posted. “I could care less about the Confederate Flag, but there are ppl that do and it doesn’t make them a racist all you are doing is (expletive) one group to cater to another and i ain’t spend the money we are to participate in any political BS!! So everything is for SALE!!”
The post has since been deleted.