Despite Ban, Confederate Flags Were Flying Outside Postponed Talladega NASCAR Race

Last week, NASCAR banned the Confederate flag from all events, including race.

“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. 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.”

However, when it was race time outside Talladega, Confederate flags were displayed outside the Speedway. Mother Nature decided to postpone things though when the GEICO 500 NASCAR race was postponed due to rain.

Cars and pickup trucks drove down nearby roads flying the Confederate flag and paraded past the entrance beneath a small plane that flew overhead carrying a banner with the flag and the words “Defund NASCAR.”

NASCAR didn’t directly acknowledge the Confederate flags but executive vice president Steve O’Donnell took to Twitter to voice an opinion.

Although there were several flags spotted outside the venue, there weren’t any reports of Confederate flags being confiscated or taken down at the track among the 5,000 fans allowed to attend.