NASCAR puts its foot down, bans Confederate flag at races

NASCAR banned the Confederate flag from its races and venues on Wednesday, formally severing itself from what for many is a symbol of slavery and racism.

The move comes amid social unrest around the globe following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minneapolis while being detained by police. Protests have roiled the nation for days and Confederate monuments are being taken down across the South — the traditional fan base for NASCAR.

Confederate flags have been a familiar sight at NASCAR races over its 72year history, dotting the infield atop RVs or being waved by fans in the grandstands, though the stock car series with its roots in moonshine running has in recent years taken cautious steps to sever the connection.

The issue was pushed to the fore this week as Bubba Wallace, NASCAR’s lone black driver, called for the banishment of the Confederate flag and said there was “no place” for them in the sport. At long last, NASCAR obliged.

“The presence of the confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR said. “Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special. The display of the confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.”

The move was announced before Wednesday night’s race at Martinsville Speedway where Wallace, an Alabama native, was driving Richard Petty Motorsports’ No. 43

Chevrolet with a #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme. Wallace was praised for his stance on Twitter from several athletes, including NBA star LeBron James, and for using the scheme in the race.

Wallace, wearing an American flag mask, clapped his hands when asked about the decision before the start of the race on FS1.

“It’s been a stressful couple of weeks,” Wallace said before the race. “This is no doubt the biggest race of my career tonight. I’m excited about tonight. There’s a lot of emotions on the race track.”

Wallace wore a black “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt but did not kneel during the national anthem.

Wallace finished 11th in a 500-lap race won by Martin Truex Jr., who also won last fall’s playoff race there.

Ryan Blaney finished second. The top five was rounded out by Brad Keselowski , Joey Logano and Chase Elliott.

NASCAR did not address how it would enforce the policy or what might happen for fans who bringing the Confederate flag to the track. NASCAR has not raced with fans since the sport resumed last month amid the pandemic. It has announced plans to welcome a small number of fans allowed at races this month in Florida and Georgia.

Five years ago, the flag issue was front and center for NASCAR after nine black churchgoers were slain in Charleston, South Carolina. NASCAR had been more open in recent times to the eradication of the Confederate flag. Several drivers — including two-time Daytona 500 champion Denny Hamlin — said they supported Wallace in his quest to rid the sport of the flag.

Soccer

U.S. SOCCER REPEALS ANTHEM POLICY >> The U.S. Soccer Federation on

Wednesday said it had repealed its requirement that players stand during the national anthem, saying the policy was wrong and detracted from the Black Lives Matter movement.

The policy was adopted in 2017 after U.S. women’s national team member Megan Rapinoe took a knee during the playing of the anthem prior to a match in 2016 in solidarity with NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who knelt to call attention to racial injustice.

“Sports are a powerful platform for good, and we have not used our platform as effectively as we should have,” the federation said in a statement. “We can do more on these specific issues and we will.”

Football

NINERS, RAIDERS MAKE HONOR ROLL >> Raiders tight end Darren Waller, former 49ers left tackle Joe Staley and a cadre of assistants with ties to both franchises are among this year’s nominees for Pro Football Writers of America’s off-field awards.

The Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award, for lifetime achievement as an assistant coach, will go to two recipients this year from eight nominees that include Raiders defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, 49ers running backs coach Bobby Turner, late offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick (49ers 1979-99) and late defensive line coach Floyd Peters (49ers 1976-77; San Francisco State; John Swett High-Crockett).

Waller’s breakout season in 2019, after a lengthy battle with drug and alcohol addiction, earned him a nomination Tuesday for the George Halas Award. Staley, who retired in April from a 13-year career, is among the Good Guy Award nominees.

College football

CAL ADDS RUNNING BACK >> Cal has confirmed the addition of former Wisconsin

running back Bradrick Shaw as a graduate transfer.

Shaw said in January that he had been granted a sixth season of eligibility. He tweeted about his commitment to the Golden Bears on May 29. Shaw rushed 202 times for 938 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught four passes for 27 yards during the 2016, 2017 and 2019 seasons with the Badgers. He missed 2018 with a knee injury.

College basketball

IDAHO’S POLICY QUESTIONED >> Groups that advocate for civil rights and women’s rights have joined notable athletes in asking the NCAA to move 2021 men’s basketball tournament games out of Idaho after the state passed a law banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports.

A letter sent Wednesday and signed by athletes including Megan Rapinoe, Billie Jean King, Jason Collins and Sue Bird calls for the NCAA to take all championship events out of Idaho. The first and second rounds of the men’s tournament are scheduled for next March at Boise State.

Tennis

FEDERER OUT UNTIL 2021 >> A setback during his recovery from knee surgery will sideline Roger Federer for the rest of 2020.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in February. On Wednesday, the 38-year-old star posted on Twitter that he underwent an additional procedure that will delay his return until 2021. Federer missed part of the 2016 season, including the Summer Olympics and the U.S. Open, while recuperating from an injured left knee. He returned to win the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2017. He added his 20th Grand Slam singles title at the 2018 Australian Open.