Part-time NASCAR driver Ray Ciccarelli, who has never won a race, just found a dubious way to make a name for himself: By quitting the race circuit over the confederate flag.
Hours after NASCAR announced it was prohibiting the presence of the Confederate flag at all events, Ciccarelli announced he would be leaving the sport at the end of the season over his disagreement with the new policy, according to Sports Illustrated.
Ciccarelli, who competes in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, announced the decision via Facebook, which he’s since taken down but was captured by Gabriel Fernandez of CBS Sports:
“Well its been a fun ride and dream come true but if this is the direction Nascar is headed we will not participate after 2020 season is over , i don’t believe in kneeling during Anthem nor taken ppl right to fly what ever flag they love. I could care less about the Confederate Flag but there are ppl that do and it doesn’t make them a racist all you are doing is f—ing one group to cater to another and i ain’t spend the money we are to participate in any political BS!! So everything is for SALE!!”
Ciccarelli competes in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 49 truck. His lone top-10 finish in the past three years was the 2019 Corrigan Oil 200.
NASCAR, which has deep roots in the South, banned the Confederate flag, widely seen as a symbol of slavery and segregation, from all events and properties to promote a more inclusive environment. The move came soon after Black driver Bubba Wallace called for a ban.
