Nascar reacts in the Confederate States flag affair

Following the racist killings in Charleston in South Carolina which cost the lives of nine people on Wednesday June 17, Governor Nikki Halet proposed remove the Confederate States flag (“Dixie Flag”) of the State Parliament plaza located in Columbia.

This flag, which originally represented the southern states in the Civil War, is the subject of much controversy since it is sometimes used as a symbol of racial hatred (the southern states having notably opposed the abolition of slavery).

While Nascar, whose bases are located in North Carolina, seeks to evolve by becoming a discipline followed in other countries, it is overtaken by its sometimes aging image attracting a predominantly conservative audience. Wendell Scott remains to this day the only African-American driver to have won a race in the discipline's premier division. It was in Jacksonville (Florida) in 1964.

Officials reacted cautiously while managing to take a position in this affair which is shaking the USA. « Nascar supports South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley's stance on the Confederate flag. As our company works collectively to ensure that all spectators are welcomed at our races, Nascar will continue to authorize the use of this flag in Nascar venues. While Nascar recognizes freedom of expression as an inherent right of every citizen, we will continue to do our best to have an open environment about our events. »