NASCAR looks to steer clear of protests over George Floyd

NASCAR has a checkered racial history.

From an affinity for Confederate flags among fan base to a driver losing his job just this season for casually uttering a racial slur, good ol’ boys have never been kwn for diversity.

Maybe it’s t surprising this mostly white sport seemed hesitant to join  national outr over death of George Floyd while in police custody — a striking contrast to its rush to be first major sport to return during coronavirus pandemic.

Looking toward NASCAR’s weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, which will be fourth track to st races without fans, trucks driver Matt Crafton was asked about protests in all 50 states and around world demanding an end to police brutality against African Americans.

“I just try to stay off social media,” said Crafton, clearly uncomfortable with subject. “At end of day, re’s a lot to talk about. I don’t try to get involved in a lot. That’s a terrible thing that happened to gentleman in Minneapolis. But re’s a lot of things going on that I’d rar t talk about.”

Bubba Wallace, only African American in top-level Cup series, expressed frustration that so many drivers were reluctant to speak out.

“A few drivers — a very few — have given ir opinion on day’s matter and I appreciate that,” Wallace said on

Wallace said he encourd or drivers to take up cause, including rising star Chase Elliott, who

“I said do you all t care about what’s going on in world?” Wallace said. “That’s t right way to go about it. Our voices carry so much more weight than Joe Schmo from down street. I mentioned we’ve got to do better, we’ve got to step up for everybody to say what y feel.”

Seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, in his final season as a full-time driver, reached out to Wallace to ask what he could do.

“That’s a big question I have for myself right w,” said Johnson, who will be hored on what could be his final race in Atlanta by having a grandstand named after him. “When you sit down and listen, you realize re’s a lot of injustices taking place across a bro spectrum. As a representative of our sport and just a citizen, it’s really time to listen. I look forward to journey that takes me on and ways I can be active.”

Even though African Americans are rare in NASCAR, Johnson said he was taken aback at what Wallace has gone through to reach top echelon.

“I h idea challenges he was faced with,” Johnson conceded. “I want to have a voice. I want to stand up to injustices. I’m trying to find that voice. Part of that journey is educating myself. I’m very deep into that.”

Initially set to host Cup series on March 15, Atlanta became first race to be postponed because of pandemic that has w claimed more than 100,000 American lives.

Johnson has won five times at 1.54-mile trioval kwn for its slippery, worn-out surface that puts a premium on tire wear and getting most out of long runs. Mired in a winless streak that has w stretched for more than three years, he hopes to finally break through at one of his favorite tracks.

Even if he doesn't win, it figures to be a memorable weekend. Winners Grandstand will be renamed Johnson Grandstand, joining sections named in hor of fellow seven-time Cup champions Richard Petty and late Dale Earnhardt.

“Granted, re won't be fans to celebrate with," Johnson said. "But it's still an emotional and special moment to go back to tracks for what could be final time."

Johnson ackwledged that taking a stand against racism and police brutality could spark a backlash from some NASCAR fans.

“Obviously, this a very divisive topic,” he said. “But you’ve got to follow your heart and positions that you believe in. It’s hard to live your life worrying about or people. You’ve got to let passion in your life shine through. things you believe in, you need to follow that.

“Ultimately, I feel a need to have a voice in this. I’m still trying to find that voice, but I’m being pulled this way more than I have or times. re’s just something inside of me that makes me feel like I need to do it.”