In the wake of worldwide protests against racism and injustice, NASCAR announced on Wednesday afternoon that fans will be banned from flying the Confederate flag at NASCAR events around the country, following a call from Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace to ban the racist symbol. The announcement came on the same day that Wallace, the only black driver in NASCAR’s top series, will drive at Martinsville Speedway with a special Black Lives Matter paint scheme.
NASCAR had previously “disallowed the use” of the Confederate flag in any official capacity, but it was still common to see fans flying the flag at the infield of tracks. As of Wednesday, the “display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.”
