NASCAR announced on Wednesday that the display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited at all NASCAR events and properties, meaning fans will no longer be able to fly the racist symbol at races. The move was met with praise by many NASCAR superstars – but one part-time Truck Series driver has announced he’s leaving the sport over the decision.
50-year-old driver Ray Ciccarelli, who has competed primarily in the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series in recent years, posted on Facebook that he will not race following the 2020 season, and slammed NASCAR for “[expletive] one group to cater to another.”
Via WEARTV:
“If this is the direction Nascar is headed we will not participate after the 2020 season is over , I don’t believe in kneeling during Anthem nor taken ppl right to fly whatever 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 [expletive] one group to cater to another.”
Ciccarelli has not started any Truck Series event this season after failing to qualify for the NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona, but he is still listed on NASCAR’s entry list for this Saturday’s race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. In 18 career starts dating back to 2017, Ciccarelli has one top-ten finish, a ninth at Michigan last season.
Ciccarelli isn’t exactly a known figure, even among NASCAR fans, but news of his announcement went viral on Thursday – and Twitter users roasted him.
NASCAR Truck series is going to have to find someone else to finish 28th each week because Ray Ciccarelli is done with this racial equality BS.
#BLM pic.twitter.com/xdZpWgIN5r— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) June 11, 2020
Quitting with a career best 33rd place finish in the third tier of racing at age 50 to own the libs 💉💉💉 pic.twitter.com/ICCf8GxKyR
— lukezim (@lukezim) June 11, 2020
It’s official he’s insulted more races than he’s won https://t.co/QDOaPSb6KU
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) June 11, 2020
Ray Big Mad! You ain’t win a damn thang anyway 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/0nv8swJ3Qv
— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) June 11, 2020
#NASCAR Truck driver/owner Ray Ciccarelli says he won’t continue in NASCAR after this year. I commend Ray for coming out as a blatant racist and removing himself from the sport. Guys like this are part of the problem. pic.twitter.com/g2WGs48FeF
— Eric E. (@ItsMeDoublEE) June 11, 2020
A moment of silence as #NASCAR mourns the loss of racin' redneck Ray Ciccarelli, who is going to take his Confederate flag, Hurt Feelings and zero wins and no poles in 18 races and go home to mama
— George Diaz (@georgediaz) June 11, 2020
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