Ray Ciccarelli is quitting NASCAR after it banned the Confederate flag from its events.
If youāve never heard of Ray Ciccarelli before today, youāre not alone.
Ciccarelli, a Truck Series driver, made a name for himself for all the wrong reasons when he announced heās quitting NASCAR because of their decision to ban the Confederate flag from its events.
āThe 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,ā the statement said.
This was a move spurred on by NASCARās only Black driver Bubba Wallace who raced in a car with a āBlack Lives Matterā paint job on Wednesday evening. That was the breaking point for Ciccarelli who posted on Facebook heās 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 donāt 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 doesnāt make them a racist all you are doing is fāing one group to cater to another and i aināt 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. Heās 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. Thatās been the best journalism written that Iāve seen on this topic. But Twitter came through with some fire to roast Ciccarelli to a crisp after his temper tantrum.
Donāt let the door hit ya on the way out, Ciccarelli.