NASCAR chairman wants Confederate flag eliminated at races
 

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) -- Calling the Confederate flag an ''insensitive symbol'' he personally finds offensive, NASCAR chairman Brian France said the sport will be aggressive in disassociating the symbol from its events.

''We want to go as far as we can to eliminate the presence of that flag,'' France told The Associated Press on Saturday. ''I personally find it an offensive symbol, so there is no daylight how we feel about it and our sensitivity to others who feel the same way.

''We're working with the industry to see how far we can go to get that flag to be disassociated entirely from our events.''

Earlier this week, NASCAR said it backed South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's call to remove the Confederate flag from state capitol grounds, and noted that it bars the flag symbol in any official NASCAR capacity.

But banning it on race track property is a much larger task for NASCAR, which began as a Southern sport and many of its fans still embrace the flag. It flies atop campers and at camp sites at many races as fans spend entire weekends in either the infield or surrounding areas of track property.

The size of the crowd, and NASCAR's own acknowledgment that fans have a right to freedom of expression, would make it difficult to police the presence of the flag.

But France insisted NASCAR is exploring its options.

''That's what we're working on - working on how far can we go,'' he said. ''If there's more we can do to disassociate ourselves with that flag at our events than we've already done, then we want to do it. We are going to be as aggressive as we can to disassociate ourselves with that flag.''

The flag issue was heightened last week after nine black churchgoers were slain in Charleston, South Carolina. The suspect in the case, Dylann Roof, embraced Confederate symbols before the attack, posing with the rebel battle flag. That revelation prompted a reappraisal of the role such symbols play in the South.

In 2012, NASCAR banned pro golfer Bubba Watson's plan to drive the ''General Lee,'' the car from the television series ''The Dukes of Hazzard,'' at Phoenix International Raceway over concerns about a negative reaction to an image of the Confederate flag on its roof.

France admitted the Charleston church shooting has pushed the sport to find a way to take a tougher stance. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, two of NASCAR's biggest stars, on Friday backed NASCAR's efforts.

NASCAR chairman wants Confederate flag eliminated at races - Yahoo Sports

We have same issue with our Southern Cross flag that seems to be extended for wrong reasons. I still feel that these flags need to stay. It is the organizations that should be banned from using them. Should be a crime for a hate organization to use a national flag rather than pull down the flag as raise a new one and that could be claimed as well.

of all the reasons to be against anything, "I find it personally offensive" has to rank right down there as the least viable one.

I agree.

well duh they own the event! :winkwink: they can change it even if you cry like a bitch :1orglaugh

i think everyone is just rolling over.
When i roll over i roll over on someone ... Public enemy

Nascar and the Confederate Flag goes hand in hand. Nascar has always been a good ole boys circuit where the sports popularity is huge in the southland. They would anger a lot of their fan base by removing or "banning" it from the sport/track.

I find it the most viable. It's an individual American in charge making a choice re: a business he runs.


the last thing we all need is to let government make more laws and ban this and tell us all what we can and can't do. this guy/group made a decision on what they are not going to do without any government interference.

this is grass roots and it's the best form of change. people are changing. this is a good thing.

A NASCAR race without the bars and stars is like a day without sunshine.

Shove a swastika up you ass so you'll feel better.

:2 cents:

If you were trying to sound ghetto, well done.

Says the pussy who's afraid to ride his bike in the ghetto.

:1orglaugh

Probably the right thing to do ,why draw negative attention

I am sorry, but you have no clue who you are talking to or where I have ridden or who with; you would not believe it anyway. I have ridden through neighborhoods in New Orleans, Compton, South Central, Houston and elsewhere that I doubt you would feel comfortable in.

It's actually interesting that you named those places and I have actually been to all of them.

I made my times in Compton brief as a MoFo!

:1orglaugh

he would tip his bike over :1orglaugh they dont have craft beer and sushi bullshit in tha hood.

Your ignorance never fails to amaze me.

Brewed in the Hood

Both BMs should meet baddog in person during one of the industry shows and discuss joint bike ride in the hood.

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh :error

This whole confederate flag issue is making the racists heads explode.

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh

So, you don't know Pacoima or you don't think Mexican gangs hold a candle to yours?

The place is literally across the streets from the projects and that has not made it an easy journey.


http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6Al1n-6lHjA/0.jpg

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh :thumbsup:thumbsup

just kidding dood :1orglaugh whole state is the hood :2 cents::2 cents: