HOMESTEAD, FLORIDA - JUNE 14: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, and Kevin Harvick, driver of the #4 Busch Light Ford, lead the restart during the NASCAR Cup Series Dixie Vodka 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on June 14, 2020 in Homestead, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Indycar flagman fired after criticizing NASCAR policy changes
Shane Walters
He was critical of the Confederate flag ban and the policy changes that allow protests during the National Anthem; Here’s the comment which was soon deleted
NASCAR made a lot of changes last week. Not all of them have been accepted across the board.
First, NASCAR’s president stopped cars on track at Atlanta Motor Speedway announcing, “We need to do better.”
Soon after, NASCAR removed a policy that required NASCAR members to stand during the National Anthem. This opened the door for members to kneel or protest during the Anthem.
This is a 360 change of policy. Years ago, NASCAR encouraged their team members to stand or face a penalty.
Then, ahead of Martinsville, NASCAR banned the Confederate flag from all events and properties. Then, Bubba Wallace entered the 500 lap event in a Black Lives Matter Livery.
All of these changes, haven’t been welcomed, by easily more than half. Reactions on this very page saw more Angry reacts over 3 days than the previous 3 months.
It’s brought criticism from fans as well as people inside the industry. NASCAR driver Ray Ciccarelli stated he’ll be selling his NASCAR team after 2020.
Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano and Kyle Busch are all looking for a new helmet painter. Beam Designs was vocal against the NASCAR changes on social media.
And the criticism has come from outside of the NASCAR world as well.
Brad Hockaday was a part-time INDYCAR employee. He served as the flagman for events, most recently at Texas Motor Speedway in early June.
He made the following comment, which was later deleted from his facebook page:
“Now is the time for short tracks round the country to pull their NASCAR sanctions for their recent actions towards America. I would not want to be affiliated with a group that doesn’t respect what the American flag stands for.”
“A lot of people have died to make this country what it is. Disrespecting the flag of this country is a disgrace. Then removing the Confederate flags. Do those dips—s even understand what that flag stands for. I have lost all respect for NASCAR. I will no longer be supporting their sanction body.”
The comment was soon deleted. However, USA Today confirmed the flagman has been fired by the open wheel racing division.
Hockaday previously served as a flagman for the ARCA Racing Series from 2005-17. Since, he’s been in the flagstand for INDYCAR.