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NASCAR and its tracks ask fans to stop displaying Confederate flag

Confederate Flag NASCAR Auto Racing

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2007, file photo, a Confederate flags fly in the infield as cars come out of turn one during a NASCAR auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. NASCAR is backing South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley’s call to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina Statehouse grounds in the wake of a massacre at a Charleston church, it said in a statement Tuesday, June 23, 2015. Though NASCAR bars the use of the flag in any official capacity, many fans fly the flag at their races. (AP Photo/Rob Carr, File)

AP

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – 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.

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.”
SIGNATORIES

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

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

Eldora Speedway

Gateway Motorsports Park