NASCAR tracks tell fans to leave Confederate flag at home

Texas Motor Speedway is among the tracks encouraging racing fans to refrain from displaying the Confederate flag during race weekends.

A statement from NASCAR Industry Members, which includes TMS’ parent company Speedway Motorsports Inc., reads:

“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.”

The Confederate flag has become a controversial point in recent weeks. South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called to remove it from the statehouse grounds in the wake of the Charleston massacre of nine black churchgoers.

The accused shooter in the Charleston rampage, Dylann Roof, had posed with a Confederate flag.

This story was originally published July 2, 2015 at 1:12 PM with the headline "NASCAR tracks tell fans to leave Confederate flag at home."