Fans outside of NASCAR's most recent race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Lincoln, Alabama protested the organization's ban on the Confederate flag by waving the flag in the parking lot. A plan also flew over the racetrack with a Confederate flag, which said "Defund NASCAR."
NASCAR has not provided a specific plan to enforce the new ban.
Helena, an Alabama resident, has worked at merchandise tents for NASCAR races for over 20 years. Merchandise tents outside of the race flew confederate flags prominently.
"They're doing very well," Helena told ESPN. "People are disappointed that NASCAR has taken that stance. It's been around for as long as all of us have been. I don't think anybody really connects it to any kind of racism or anything. It's just a Southern thing. It's transparent. It's just a heritage thing."
David Radvansky, a 32-year-old from Atlanta, says he started coming to Talladega in the 1990s and applauds NASCAR's decision to ban the Confederate flags. "I don't think there's a place for it in NASCAR, to be honest with you," he said. "That doesn't sit well with all the good ol' boys, but it is what it is."
NASCAR's next race will air Monday at 3:00 PM ET.
[Via]