Nascar truck series driver Ray Ciccarelli QUITS after Confederate flag ban to not deal with ‘any political bs’
A NASCAR truck driver says he’s quitting the racing series after officials banned the Confederate flags from waving at events.
Ray Ciccarelli, 50, on Thursday he was ending his career with Nascar after the current season ended.
“Well its been a fun ride and dream come true but if this is the direction Nascar is headed we will not participate after the 2020 season is over,” Ciccarelli said.
“I don’t believe in kneeling during Anthem nor taken ppl right to fly whatever flag they love.
“I could care less about the but there are ppl that do and it doesn’t make them a racist all you are doing is f–king one group to cater to another.”
Ciccarelli continued: “I ain’t spend the money we are to participate in any political BS!! So everything is for SALE!!”
Over the last four years, Ciccarelli participated in 18 different Truck Series races, and finished in the top 10 once.
On Wednesday, associated with it as the US comes to grips with race relations following George Floyd’s death.
Nascar helmet artist Jason Beam tweeted after the announcement that “ignorance wins again, NASCAR you realize the North had slaves too, lol not just the South, you want to remove the American Flag as well, idiots.”
The flag was a common sight at Nascar races for more than 70 years.
"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," a statement read.
"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 issue was and an Alabama native who said the flag had “no place” in the racing sport.
Over the weekend, the 26-year-old wore a shirt emblazoned with the slogan "I Can't Breathe/Black Lives Matter" before Sunday's Nascar race in Atlanta, Georgia.
, who drives the No 43 car for Richard Petty Motorsports, recognized there would be a "lot of angry people" but insisted he would not be swayed.
"There's going to be a lot of angry people that carry those flags proudly, but it's time for change," he said. "We have to change that, and I encourage Nascar — we will have those conversations to remove those flags.”
The NAACP applauded Nascar for taking the necessary step to “remove symbols of hate, racism, and discrimination from their events.”
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George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer pushed his knee into the back of Floyd’s neck while arresting him.
Floyd repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe, and his death was later ruled a homicide.
His death has sparked protests that have roiled the nation for days, , which is the traditional fan base for Nascar.