NASCAR and its tracks ask fans to stop displaying Confederate flag

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2007, file photo, a Confederate flags fly in the infield as cars come out of turn one during a NASCAR auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. NASCAR is backing South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's call to remove... (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (NBC SPORTS) - NASCAR asked its fans to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at its race, releasing a statement Thursday signed by tracks that host the Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck series.

The statement comes the day after Daytona International Speedway announced it would offer a flag exchange as it prepares to host Sunday's Coke Zero 400. Track president Joie Chitwood said fans wouldn't be banned from having the Confederate flag in the infield this weekend.

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Last weekend, NASCAR Chairman Brian France said the sanctioning body would go "as far as we can" to eliminate the Confederate flag from its events.

Thursday's statement:

As members of the NASCAR industry, we join NASCAR in the desire to make our events among the most fan-friendly, welcoming environments in all of sports and entertainment.

To do that, we are asking our fans and partners to join us in a renewed effort to create an all-inclusive, even more welcoming atmosphere for all who attend our events. This will include the request to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at our facilities and NASCAR events.

We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere free of offensive symbols. This is an opportunity for NASCAR Nation to demonstrate its sense of mutual respect and acceptance for all who attend our events while collectively sharing the tremendous experience of NASCAR racing."

SIGNATURES:

International Speedway Corporation (ISC)Auto Club Speedway
Chicagoland SpeedwayDarlington Raceway
Daytona International SpeedwayHomestead-Miami Speedway
Kansas SpeedwayMartinsville Speedway
Michigan International SpeedwayPhoenix International Raceway
Richmond International RacewayRoute 66 Raceway
Talladega SuperspeedwayWatkins Glen International
Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI)Atlanta Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor SpeedwayCharlotte Motor Speedway
Kentucky SpeedwayLas Vegas Motor Speedway
New Hampshire Motor SpeedwaySonoma Raceway
Texas Motor SpeedwayDover International Speedway
Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayPocono Raceway
Iowa SpeedwayMid-Ohio Sports Car Course
Road AmericaEldora Speedway
Canadian Tire Motorsport ParkGateway Motorsports Park