DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Daytona International Speedway will not ban the Confederate flag from track property this weekend, but will offer the American flag to those who wish to fly it on property.
Daytona President Joie Chitwood said Tuesday the speedway will offer an exchange program in which fans can trade a flag for the American flag. Daytona hosts NASCAR races on Saturday and Sunday nights this weekend.
“We are celebrating the American flag this weekend, it is our nation’s birthday,” Chitwood said. “We’re going to have a flag exchange opportunity, so fans who would like to fly the American flag, we’ll trade with you whatever flag you have, we want you to celebrate that flag this weekend. That’s what is important.
“Going forward, we’re really going to have to take a look at where that other (Confederate) flag goes because it doesn’t have a place in our sport.”
Chitwood said there’s not enough time to plan and enforce a ban on the Confederate flag, which NASCAR chairman Brian France does not want flying at NASCAR events.