NASCAR President Steve Phelps addressed drivers before the Folds of Honor 500 on Sunday, calling for a stand against racism and racial injustice.- NASCAR held a moment of silence before playing a video of drivers, similar to one produced by NFL players last week, calling for listening and understanding.
- According to a 2014 study, 94% of NASCAR's fanbase is white.
On Sunday, NASCAR held a moment of silence for the death of George Floyd and called for a "stand against racism and racial injustice."
Shortly before the Folds of Honor 500 in Atlanta, NASCAR president Steve Phelps addressed drivers, pit crews, and the TV audience, saying, "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."
Phelps continued, saying "the time is now to listen."
"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, our competitors, 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."
After a moment of silence, the FOX broadcast then played a video of several drivers, including Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Busch, addressing racial injustice in the country and demanding people listen. The video echoed one produced by NFL players to the NFL, calling for the league to change its stance on protesting during the national anthem and recognizing "The statement from NASCAR is notable. A study by The Atlantic in 2014 found that 94% of NASCAR's audience was white. Races are also largely held in the south, and it is not uncommon to see Confederate flags at events.
Watch Phelps' statement, the moment of silence, and drivers' videos below:
—FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2020
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