NASCAR has banned the Confederate flag from all of its race meetings.
A statement says the presence of the controversial flag "runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry".
Confederate symbols have come under renewed attack following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The Confederate flag has been almost omni-present in the southern-dominated sport for many years.
The sport returned last month behind closed doors, but will reintroduce spectators beginning next month at at select NASCAR Cup Series races.
"All guests in attendance will be screened before entering", NASCAR say, and will be "required to wear face coverings, mandated to social distance at 6 feet, and will not have access to the infield, among other revised operational protocols."
Tomorrow night at @MartinsvilleSwy, @BubbaWallace will run a special #BlackLivesMatter paint scheme promoting racial equality. #CompassionLoveUnderstanding
Learn more: pic.twitter.com/MHWwNzIzFJ— Petty GMS (@PettyGMS) June 9, 2020
"No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a race. So it starts with Confederate flags. Get them out of here. They have no place for them," driver Bubba Wallace told CNN this week.
Wallace will have a Black Lives Matter livery grace his Richard Petty Motorsports car this week.
"There's going to be a lot of angry people that carry those flags proudly, but it's time for change," the Alabama native told CNN.
"We have to change that, and I encourage NASCAR -- we will have those conversations to remove those flags.
"It is a thick line we cannot cross anymore."
NASCAR statement:
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.
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