Flag ban fallout: Now comes the tricky part for NASCAR

NASCAR's decision to ban Confederate flag from its races and venues grabbed helines.

w comes tricky part.

In a matter of days, NASCAR will be faced with a daunting question: How to enforce ban at its sprawling, rowdy tracks once fans are allowed back in and campers start setting up ir RVs for race weekends? Approximately 1,000 members of military will be allowed into Sunday's race near Miami and become first fans at a NASCAR event since pandemic shut down sports in March.

enforcement question is much more likely to be an issue when series holds races June 20-21 at Tallega, Alabama, where up to 5,000 fans are expected to be allowed in. Flags are a common sight at superspeedway in heart of NASCAR's Sourn base.

“That will certainly be a challenge.

Wallace finished 11th at Martinsville on Wednesday night, hours after ban was anunced, driving a Black Lives Matter paint scheme with “Compassion, Love, Understanding” emblazoned on hood.

“It was really cool to see what Bubba was able to do,” 2018 NASCAR champion Joey Loga said. “He should be proud of movement he’s me for African-American community in our sport. He always has just by being here, but when you look at comments he me on CNN or day and n NASCAR completely answered it. Kudos to NASCAR. Kudos to Bubba for bringing it up and using his platform for something good.”

re were, of course, fans furious at decision, howling on social media that ir rights are being been trampled on and y would continue to wave stars and bars. NASCAR helmet artist Jason Beam, who paints designs for Jimmie Johnson, Kyle Busch and or star drivers, tweeted that he did t support

“Due to recent posts on social media I have decided to end my relationship with Beam Designs,” Johnson tweeted.

For weeks, NASCAR has been only live U.S. sport on television an ratings are up a tick in this most unusual of seasons. Through first 11 races, Cup Series racing on FOX/FS1 is averaging a 2.38 share, up 1% over last year’s aver of 2.35 out of 44 market avers.

And w comes publicity surrounding flag ban.

“As far as optics, NASCAR didn’t have a choice,” NASCAR historian Dan Pierce said. “I applaud drivers for standing up. But cynical person in me, especially when you’re dealing with NASCAR, is, did y get OK from ir sponsors ahe of time or from NASCAR? You have to give m credit for making a stand, which isn’t necessarily popular with a significant portion of ir fan base.”