Kentucky Speedway supports NASCAR's ban of the Confederate flag

(Photo by Sean Gardner/NASCAR via Getty Images)

Kentucky Speedway is in complete support of NASCAR’s decision to ban Confederate flags at their racing events.

After NASCAR announced the ban Wednesday, Kentucky Speedway came forward with a statement of their own on the matter.

“I think it’s step in the right direction, it’s one that we support and I’m looking forward to implementing it,” said Kentucky Speedway general manager Mark Simendinger, via WLKY. “Our whole deal is to have big events that the family can enjoy, and if we have symbols there that are offensive, they need to be removed so everybody can enjoy it.

“It’s going to a better for everybody. It’s going to be a better environment for everyone.”

NASCAR made the decision to ban use of Confederate flags at their events amid nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice following George Floyd’s death on May 25.

“The presence of the Confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR said in a statement. “Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special. The display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited from all NASCAR events and properties.”

Bubba Watson, NASCAR’s only black driver, said there is no place for the Confederate flag in the sport and called for it to be banned. He then drove a Black Lives Matter car wearing an “I CAN’T BREATHE” shirt during Wednesday night’s race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia.

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Last week, Kentucky Speedway announced that the Quaker State 400 will take place on Sunday, July 12 at 2:30 p.m. as part of a quadruple NASCAR National Series race weekend. The Kentucky 200 and Alsco 300, both part of the Xfinity Series, will take place Thursday and Friday nights, July 9 – 10, and the Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 will move to Saturday, July 11. All four races will take place without spectators in attendance and broadcast on FS1, PRN or MRN/Sirius XM Nascar Radio.