Ray Ciccarelli has reacted to the decision of NASCAR to prohibit confederate flag at all racing events and its properties, saying he will not be returning after the 2020 racing season is over. He cited his decision to not race again on his Facebook page, which he based on the company’s decision to ban the confederate flag.
Ray Ciccarelli who has since deleted the post on his Facebook, had on Wednesday, said he is quitting NASCAR, saying:
“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 whatever flag they love,” Ciccarelli, 50, wrote on Facebook.
He added, “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—— 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!!”
According to CNN, neither Ciccarelli nor his team CMI Motorsports responded to a request for comment from CNN.
A PR person previously listed as a contact for CMI said she was no longer with the company. The company’s Twitter account was deleted sometime between Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, the report said.
Previously, it said Ray Ciccarelli was due to “return to the driver’s seat in the No. 83 CMI Properties / Osage Contractors Chevy” at the Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend, but Fox Sports reporter Alan Cavanna tweeted Ray Ciccarelli had withdrawn from the event.
NASCAR banned the Confederate flag from events two days after Bubba Wallace, the only full-time African American driver in NASCAR’s Cup Series, went on CNN on Monday night and called for its removal.
“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 before its race Wednesday night in Martinsville, Virginia.
“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.”