NASCAR took time Sunday to recognize the civil unrest taking place across the nation. Protests across the country have erupted since the death of George Floyd, an African-American man, while in police custody in Minneapolis.
Prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta the field was stopped along the frontstretch and the engines were silenced. Crew members stood on the pit wall as a message from NASCAR president Steve Phelps was shown on the Fox broadcast.
“Thank you for your time,” Phelps said. “Our country is in pain and people are justifiably angry, demanding to be heard. The black community and all people of color have suffered in our country, and it has taken far too long for us to hear their demands for change. Our sport must do better. Our country must do better. The time is now to listen, to understand and to stand against racism and racial injustice. We ask our drivers … and all our fans to join us in this mission, to take a moment of reflection, to acknowledge that we must do better as a sport, and join us as we now pause and take time to listen.”
Then as the field rolled off to begin the race, a video featuring a number of top drivers vowing to “listen and learn” was aired.
The video includes seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson and Bubba Wallace, the only African-American driver in NASCAR’s top series. Many drivers had already posted it on their social media accounts.
“The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others in the Black community are heartbreaking and can no longer be ignored,” the message said. “We are committed to listening with empathy and with an open heart to better educate ourselves. We will use this education to advocate for change in our nation, our communities and most importantly, in our own homes. Even after the headlines go away.”
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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