Ray Ciccarelli is quitting NASCAR after it banned the Confederate flag from its events.
If you’ve never heard of Ray Ciccarelli before today, you’re not alone.
Ciccarelli, a Truck Series driver, made a name for himself for all the wrong reasons when he announced he’s quitting NASCAR because of their decision to ban the Confederate flag from its events.
“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,” the statement said.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) June 10, 2020
This was a move spurred on by NASCAR’s only Black driver Bubba Wallace who raced in a car with a “Black Lives Matter” paint job on Wednesday evening. That was the breaking point for Ciccarelli who posted on Facebook he’s had enough.
"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!!"
In 18 races over three years, Ciccarelli has zero wins, one top-10 finish and his highest finish was 33rd in 2019. His lasting legacy will be quitting because of NASCAR banning the Confederate flag. He’s on the wrong side of history, just like the Confederacy.
ESPN writer Ryan McGee penned a fantastic column about the overdue decision to ban the Confederate flag and the hate, not heritage, it represents. That’s been the best journalism written that I’ve seen on this topic. But Twitter came through with some fire to roast Ciccarelli to a crisp after his temper tantrum.
NASCAR "always loses" Ray Ciccarelli quits racing cause he cant celebrate racism.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) June 11, 2020
NASCAR champ Dale Earnhardt Jr @DaleJr disagreed - in 2001: The flag "represents close-minded, racist views that have no place in today's society. It belongs in the history books, & thats about it"
Wins
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) June 11, 2020
Confederate Army - 0
Ray Ciccarelli - 0 https://t.co/C7bf2mnYAS pic.twitter.com/yAyf9wMx0A
Ray Ciccarelli is quitting NASCAR because they've banned the confederate flag. Or is it because..."With 32 races under his belt, 50-year-old Ray Ciccarelli has never won a NASCAR race." Well, we can see why he identified with the confederates.. #BlackLivesMatter
— Elayne Animals & Comedy Boosler (@ElayneBoosler) June 11, 2020
BREAKING: NASCAR truck driver Ray Ciccarelli will quit because they banned the Confederate flag
— Nico XW (@Nicoxw1) June 11, 2020
UPDATE: We still don't know who Ray Ciccarelli is
UPDATE: Actually, we don't know what a NASCAR truck driver is
UPDATE: Actually nevermind, no one cares
BREAKING: NASCAR Driver Ray Ciccarelli just announced that he will quit after the Confederate flag was banned.
— Dark Brandon (@DarkBrandon2020) June 11, 2020
He was a loser anyway. Now he’s just a bigger loser!
Good Riddance!
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.
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) June 11, 2020
#BLM pic.twitter.com/xdZpWgIN5r
NASCAR truck driver Ray Ciccarelli has never even won a race. Like the confederacy, he knows how to quit while he’s behind.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) June 11, 2020
Ray Ciccarelli (0-31 in his career) has announced his retirement from NASCAR due to their decision to ban confederate flags. NASCAR is scrambling to find someone else to regularly finish 28th.
— Steve Hofstetter (@SteveHofstetter) June 11, 2020
It's no surprise. Ciccarelli has never been good at anything race-related.
Funniest thing about Ray Ciccarelli is that whether you agree with him or disagree you still had to google him to find out who he is cuz he ain’t never won nun lmaaaaaooooooooo
— Aaron West (@oeste) June 11, 2020
Like Ray Ciccarelli, I too am announcing my retirement from NASCAR without ever winning a race. pic.twitter.com/72nBabtEnX
— Aaron (@roneman90) June 11, 2020
Glad to see racist Ray Ciccarelli quit #NASCAR and try to blame it on the Confederate flag and not the fact he ain't won anything. pic.twitter.com/UWc6YuveWY
— ൩ﺃ८ɧลᕦ⎝ ⵙ⎝ﺃ🜄ᕦГ (@MrOliv3r) 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
Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out, Ciccarelli.