Nascar driver Kyle Weatherman races in Thin Blue Line car days after Bubba Wallace hit track in Black Lives Matter car

NASCAR'S Kyle Weatherman and MHR Racing team have painted their car in support of police who are under fire for their handling of protests across the US.

Flying in the face of NASCAR's new stance against police brutality, Weatherman’s car sported a “Back the Blue” paint scheme.

Weatherman's car, number 47, has the phrase “Thin Blue Line” painted across and the “Blue Lives Matter” flag on the hood as well as #backtheblue along and across the tail.

NASCAR took a stance against racism last week by removing the confederate flag from their events and races to support protesters of social injustice and racial inequality.

Current driver Bubba Wallace took things a step further when he sported a “Black Lives Matter” slogan on his car with white and black hands coming together on the hood hours after the announcement was made.

He also wore an “I can’t breathe” face mask and shirt as further means of protest, which were all well received by those in the sport last Wednesday.

Mike Harmon Racing's unveiling of their new pro-police paint job mentions that their new design is for law enforcement officers (LEO's) and First Responders.

However the "Thin Blue Line" and its associate, the Blue Lives Matter flag, are more representative of the police than any other service. Officers often display the imagery as a show of solidarity.

The MHR team has not used a political message on their vehicles since February where the No. 47 car had a “Trump 2020” paint scheme.

They are not the first to court controversy by wading into the BLM debate on the side of the confederate flag or the police.

Racer Ray Ciccarelli disagreed with the decision to ban the flag and wrote on Facebook that he's planning to retire because of it.

In a since-deleted post, the 50-year-old racer wrote: "Well its been a fun ride and dream come true but if this is the direction Nascar is headed we will not participate after 2020 season is over, I don't believe in kneeling during Anthem nor taken ppl right to fly whatever flag they love"

He added, "I could care less about the Confederate Flag but there are ppl that do and it doesn't make them a racist all you are doing is f------ one group to cater to another and I ain't spend the money we are to participate in any political BS!! So everything is for SALE!!"

Ciccarelli's remarks were vilified nationally.

Wallace told NBC's Today programme that he was "baffled" by the backlash.

Wallace said: “To a large group of people, it is a sign of hate and oppression, just a lot of negative and bad things that come to mind.

"We’re not saying you can’t ever fly it at your house. You can do whatever you want. When it comes to a sporting event — where we want all races and everybody to be included, inclusion is what we are trying for (and) unity.”

Do you have a story for The US Sun team?

Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552.