Bubba Wallace, NASCAR's only black driver, calls on the circuit to ban fans from bringing the Confederate flag to races because 'it's time for change'

Bubba Wallace, NASCAR's only black driver, believes it is time for the stock car circuit to finally ban the Confederate flag from its events.

'No one should feel uncomfortable when they come to a NASCAR race,' the 26-year-old Alabama native told CNN on Monday. 'So it starts with Confederate flags. Get them out of here. They have no place for them.' 

Wallace was speaking following Sunday's race Atlanta in which he wore an 'I Can't Breathe' shirt during the national anthem in a reference to the recent killing of George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man, by Minneapolis police.

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Bubba Wallace, NASCAR's only black driver, believes it is time for the stock car circuit to finally ban the Confederate flag from its events

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NASCAR drivers have joined the growing list of athletes and sports leagues throwing their support behind the nationwide protests against police brutality.

"We are trying to deliver the message across, listen and learn," says NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace. https://cnn.it/2A5NQlr 

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10:11 AM - Jun 9, 2020

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Confederate flags fly over the infield campground prior to a 2015 race at Darlington

Confederate flags are a common sight for NASCAR, which originated in the south and remain a large part of the region's identity.

As Wallace explained, he's been forcing himself to ignore the Confederate flags waving in crowds and parking lots at NASCAR events, but he no longer thinks that's the right thing to do.

'The narrative on that before is: "I wasn't bothered by it, but I don't speak for everybody else; I speak for myself; what I am chasing is checkered flags," and that was kind of my narrative.'

'But diving more into it and educating myself, people feel uncomfortable with that,' he continued. 'People talk about that. That's the first thing they bring up. So there's going to be a lot of angry people that carry those flags proudly, but it's time for change.' 

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Bubba Wallace, driver of the #43 McDonald's Chevrolet, wears a "I Can't Breath - Black Lives Matter" T-shirt under his fire suit in solidarity with protesters around the world taking to the streets after the death of George Floyd on May 25 while in the custody of Minneapolis police

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A NASCAR fan wears a Confederate flag around his shoulders as he walks towards a private campground area that hosts vendors, food and entertainment before the start of the race at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee in 2017

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Race fans make a photo with a Confederate flag in the Fan Zone before a NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in 2015

While the Confederate flag remains a symbol of southern pride to some, its history is inextricably linked with slavery and the racist motivations behind the secession of the southern states in 1860. 

As Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stevens infamously said at the onset of the Civil War: 'Our new [government's] foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man.'

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While the Confederate flag remains a symbol of pride to some, its history is inextricably linked with slavery and the racist motivations behind the secession of the Southern States in 1860. As Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stevens (pictured) infamously said at the onset of the Civil War: 'Our new [government's] foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man'

Wallace is not the only NASCAR driver promoting civil rights amid nationwide protests in the wake of Floyd's killing.

Prior to the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the drivers released an 86-second video that displayed a unified statement against racial inequality.

Drivers including longtime star Jimmie Johnson and Wallace took turns reading part of the message, which said in part:

'The events of recent weeks highlighted the work we still need to do as a nation to condemn racial inequality and racism. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others in the black community are heartbreaking ... and can no longer be ignored.

'The process begins with us listening and learning because understanding the problem is the first step in fixing it. We are committed to listening with empathy and with an open heart to better educate ourselves. We will use this education to advocate for change in our nation, our communities and most importantly in our own homes. Even after the headlines go away.

'All of our voices, they make a difference. No matter how big or how small, it is all of our responsibility to no longer be silent. To no longer be silent. We just can't stay silent. We've a long road ahead of us. But let's commit to make the journey together.'

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A Trump "Make America Great Again!" flag flies below the confederate flag over the Peary's RV in Earhart Campground, a private campground adjacent to the Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee on August 18, 2017. In 2015, prior to becoming President, Trump said he thought waving the flag was wrong: 'I think they should put it in the museum and let it go'

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A view of American and Confederate flags seen flying over the infield during practice for the NASCAR XFINITY Series VFW Sport Clips Help A Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway on September 4, 2015 in Darlington

As the race was about to start, all 40 cars were summoned to a stop in front of the grandstands so NASCAR president Steve Phelps could deliver a message.

'Those watching at home, thank you for your time. Our country is in pain and people are justifiably angry, demanding to be heard,' Phelps said in a message the drivers could hear through their headsets. 'The black community and all people of color have suffered in our country and it has taken far too long for us to hear their demands for change. Our sport must do better. Our country must do better.

'The time is now to listen, to understand and to stand against racism and racial injustice. We ask our drivers, our competitors and all our fans to join us in this mission, to take a moment of reflection to acknowledge we must do better as a sport and join us as we may now pause and ... listen.'

During Phelps' message, a black NASCAR official could be seen kneeling on one knee - in the same manner as former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled during the playing of the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality.

The vow of stemming racial inequality comes less than two months after driver Kyle Larson was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing after using a racial slur during a virtual event. NASCAR indefinitely suspended Larson for violating its code of conduct policy.