NASCAR issues statement on Confederate flag at race events

The flying of the Confederate flag – emblem of the South's Confederate States of America during the Civil War – at public events, not least NASCAR races, has long been a lightning rod for controversy, assailed as an endorsement of racism by critics while defended as a symbol of Southern pride by supporters. Following last week's murderous shooting rampage in Charleston, S.C. by a self-proclaimed white supremacist, NASCAR announced Tuesday it supported yesterday's call by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to remove the Confederate emblem from the state flag, and that the flag would continue to be prohibited from appearing at NASCAR tracks "in any official capacity."

"As we continue to mourn the tragic loss of life last week in Charleston, we join our nation's embrace of those impacted," the sanctioning body said in a statement. "NASCAR supports the position that South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley took on the Confederate Flag on Monday. As our industry works collectively to ensure that all fans are welcome at our races, NASCAR will continue our long-standing policy to disallow the use of the Confederate Flag symbol in any official NASCAR capacity. While NASCAR recognizes that freedom of expression is an inherent right of all citizens, we will continue to strive for an inclusive environment at our events."

In a separate statement, International Speedway Corporation John Saunders noted that his company, whose tracks host many NASCAR events, prohibits the sale of items featuring the emblem but like NASCAR, stopped short of explicitly prohibiting the flying of the flag by race fans, (ABOVE, LAT photo).

"We join NASCAR in support of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's position on the Confederate Flag. ISC strives to ensure all fans are welcome to enjoy our events and maintains an inclusive environment at our facilities nationwide," Saunders said. "ISC will continue our long-standing practice to prohibit the sale of Confederate Flag material on our property."