DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (NBC SPORTS) -Â 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 Speedway | Darlington Raceway |
Daytona International Speedway | Homestead-Miami Speedway |
Kansas Speedway | Martinsville Speedway |
Michigan International Speedway | Phoenix International Raceway |
Richmond International Raceway | Route 66 Raceway |
Talladega Superspeedway | Watkins Glen International |
Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) | Atlanta Motor Speedway |
Bristol Motor Speedway | Charlotte Motor Speedway |
Kentucky Speedway | Las Vegas Motor Speedway |
New Hampshire Motor Speedway | Sonoma Raceway |
Texas Motor Speedway | Dover International Speedway |
Indianapolis Motor Speedway | Pocono Raceway |
Iowa Speedway | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course |
Road America | Eldora Speedway |
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park | Gateway Motorsports Park |