11 replies to this topic

[#TheTruth]

With the events going on in our country over the past weeks, NASCAR has taken a political, PC stance. Seemingly showing support for the #BlackLivesMatter movement by supporting Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr., a regular on the circuit who is also sporting a #BLM paint scheme at Martinsville tonight. While I wholeheartedly believe that not only black lives matter, but all lives matter, #BLM has become synonomous with riots and violence. NASCAR has decided to back this movement and it has caused much backlash online.

In a recent interview with CNN, "Bubba" stated that he would like to see confederate flags banned from the tracks as well. This has caused an uproar in the NASCAR fan community with many pledging to boycott the sport if NASCAR puts this into effect.

I do not believe that politics has a place in NASCAR, but just as many other aspects of our lives have been invaded by politics, motorsports has been engulfed. The #BLM movement at its core, corporate level is fulfilling every African Americans' right to justice and equality, but as recent events have shown, it is often the center of violence, property damage, and hostility toward all police officers. This is not at the fault, or the intent of the #BLM movement, but the fault of those causing the above labeling themselves as #BLM. As many fans contemplate their continued support, the popularity of grassroots racing may be on the rise.

Throughout the Coronovirus Pandemic, dirt racing gained exposure through the racing simulation iRacing. In addition, there are already dirt races broadcast on major networks like CBS Sports. The falling popularity of NASCAR and increased exposure for dirt racing could bring grassroots racing into the spotlight. As of today, many of the national touring series provide ways to stream the races. They are already set up for the main stage, and wih influencers like Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and Kyle Larson, as well as big corporate sponsors, we may soon see grassroots racing broadcast on major networks or even national television.

While I am disappointed by the fall of NASCAR over the past decade, maybe it is time for grassroots racing and the "weekend warriors" to take over the spotlight and show the world what real racing is all obout.

Politics have no place in racing, whether it be at a local track, or on a professional level.

Thoughts?

[Retort]

I was always neutral about the race issue. However I am being pushed into being radical just for the purpose of self defense. From alternate lifestyles to political correctness I've had my fill of this liberal one-sided crap. Bubba isn't any better of a driver than 1/2 the locals anywhere, he is a token black (1/2 black) at best.  Snowflakes seem to have taken over the media and are promoting this new agenda, I for one won't endorse or support their cause.   Gene Steele

[jo73]

American history is being destroyed right in front of your eyes. As far as nascrap goes, they live and breath off the tv deal they presently have. The race tonight is in virginia, the fine citizens, which by the way ARE the protestors. Took it apon themselves to destroy the statue of Robert E. Lee. Nascrap follows that up saying we are banning the Confederate flag at any on are events. Ah but Mr. Floyd was a model citizen was he not.

Nascrap, you keep what you have, you've made racing a political platform. I tuned in to see the 43 car carrying the #BLM wrap. Yes, it's already off. I wonder if they'll strip Richard Petty of his affiliation because he may be the last true southerner involved in the sport.

[Skull]

I don't care about what Wallace has on his car or whether or not NASCAR bans a flag. I would just appreciate an entertaining race, an exception rather than the norm anymore with NASCAR.

[THE Fan]

just one more reason NOT to support NASCAR in anyway...….they haven't provided good racing for years...….let the "pc" progressive clowns have it...….it isn't going to be around forever …….if they're depending on millennials, snowflakes & most people under 35, they're doomed anyway...….. as to the stars & bars, if anyone under 40 in this country were actually taught American History they would know it's part of our southern history & was never intended to be racist...….thank again to our WORTHLESS public education system...…...

[D1RT]

just one more reason NOT to support NASCAR in anyway....they haven't provided good racing for years....let the "pc" progressive clowns have it....it isn't going to be around forever .if they're depending on millennials, snowflakes & most people under 35, they're doomed anyway..... as to the stars & bars, if anyone under 40 in this country were actually taught American History they would know it's part of our southern history & was never intended to be racist....thank again to our WORTHLESS public education system......

Hey long time no see! Good to see you posting.
Feel the exact same way you do!

[Benny K]

Well since most of the tracks everyone attends in this board is in the north 'a southern flag' shouldn't be so important. It was a flag flown by states attempting to leave the United States for the primary reason to prevent the loss of slavery that would cripple the southern economy. When an entire group of people see that flag it is a symbol of not only slavery but the segregation and Jim crow laws that lasted for over 50 years. So by flying it your are essentially saying you arent welcome. Now you can come back with all of your its not about racism garbage all you want, and go ahead and call me a snowflake but that attitude is viewed the way it is by many. Google image search "KKK rally" and see what you get. Spoiler alert a lot of guys rocking their stars and bars flags. Another thing they lost the war. I would guess 80% or more of the confederate flag waving crowd doesnt even know what the word confederate means without googling it first.


If Bubba Wallace was a white man no one would be mentioning him at all, but since he is black "he only got his ride because of his race is brought up continually." Danica Patrick got the same stuff for being a female. Daniel Suarez got it because he was Hispanic. Does anyone constantly bring up Ricky Stenhouse and William Byron? Dispite having better rides than Wallace ever did. The highest paid, most famous racecar driver in the world right now is a black man and he has 6 world championships to back it up, but in this country a majority of race fans probably couldnt even identify him.

Edited by Benny K, 10 June 2020 - 11:50 PM.

[Retort]

Five years ago, the flag issue was front and center for NASCAR after nine black churchgoers were slain in Charleston, South Carolina. The man currently on death row for the murders, Dylann Roof, had embraced Confederate symbols before the attack, prompting a reappraisal of the role such symbols play in the South.

It was also discovered that Dylann Roof was wearing white brief style underwear. Yep, you guessed it, white brief underwear will no longer be permitted at NASCAR events.

Now remember.... that we can't judge all Muslims because of the actions taken by a few thousand. That would be racists

 

[Skull]

Well since most of the tracks everyone attends in this board is in the north 'a southern flag' shouldn't be so important. It was a flag flown by states attempting to leave the United States for the primary reason to prevent the loss of slavery that would cripple the southern economy. When an entire group of people see that flag it is a symbol of not only slavery but the segregation and Jim crow laws that lasted for over 50 years. So by flying it your are essentially saying you arent welcome. Now you can come back with all of your its not about racism garbage all you want, and go ahead and call me a snowflake but that attitude is viewed the way it is by many. Google image search "KKK rally" and see what you get. Spoiler alert a lot of guys rocking their stars and bars flags. Another thing they lost the war. I would guess 80% or more of the confederate flag waving crowd doesnt even know what the word confederate means without googling it first.
If Bubba Wallace was a white man no one would be mentioning him at all, but since he is black "he only got his ride because of his race is brought up continually." Danica Patrick got the same stuff for being a female. Daniel Suarez got it because he was Hispanic. Does anyone constantly bring up Ricky Stenhouse and William Byron? Dispite having better rides than Wallace ever did. The highest paid, most famous racecar driver in the world right now is a black man and he has 6 world championships to back it up, but in this country a majority of race fans probably couldnt even identify him.

I agree in general with your post. As far as the rebel flag, many people who fly it do so because it represents a rebel attitude to them. To me, it's no more correct to generalize those that fly it as racists than it is to say every Canadian citizen loves hockey. I think NASCAR brass should have more important issues to concern themselves with, but it's their ball and their court.I

I strongly disagree about Danica Patrick, and I'm no chauvinist. She was brought in to Stewart Haas because she was an attractive young woman with some pedigree from IndyCar. She was marketable and appealed to a broader audience. Much more skilled version of Natalie Decker, who is simply a waste of a truck seat. Patrick basically did not have the chops as a stock car driver. I could probably sit here and name half the current starting cup field that brought money or sponsorship same as she did as a way of proving that my opinion of her as a driver has nothing to do with gender. I think Wallace can drive, but deals with resources of a small team. Suarez had his shot and couldn't perform.

[Benny K]

Yes, I agree about Patrick just saying she was exposed to more criticism being a girl and because of her appeal.

[flash49]

Benny, both of your posts are very thoughtful and spot on.  While the confederate flag was part of our history, it was a horrible part of our history.  Hitler and Mussolini are clearly a part of their countrys' history during WWII, but neither of them are celebrated as heroes.  While I would not compare confederate soldiers to either of those fanatics, they still took up arms against the USA.  The Civil War will never be removed from history, but what is the point of honoring those who were complicit in it.  And if some you don't believe that the Civil War was fought to perpetuate slavery, I invite you to read the secession documents of the confederate states, and the constitution of the confederacy.

Edited by flash49, 11 June 2020 - 03:49 PM.

[Hot Dog]

As many real life problems as people are having these days, I cant see the benefit of getting too worked up about something like the confederate flag. There are more important hills to die on imo