NASCAR Truck Series driver says he’s leaving sport after new Confederate flag policy

NEW YORK -- Ray Ciccarelli, a NASCAR Truck Series driver, announced on social media Wednesday that he plans to quit the sport shortly after the release of new guidelines that include a ban on Confederate flags at races.

Ciccarelli, 50, took to Facebook to announce that it has been a “fun ride and dream come true” to race, but he is concerned about NASCAR’s direction and will stop racing after 2020.

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 13: Ray Ciccarelli poses for a photo at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2020 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)



Ciccarelli's social media accounts were closed sometime after the post.

NASCAR announced on Wednesday that it will prohibit any images or displays of the Confederate flag at future 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,” NASCAR said in a statement. “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.”

The Houston Chronicle reported that Ciccarelli races part-time on the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. The report said that he raced 18 times in the last three years and never won a race.

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