text: DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR asked its fans to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at its race, releasing a statement Thursday signed by tracks that host the Sprint Cup, Xfinity and Camping World Truck series. 
   
   The statement comes the day after Daytona International Speedway announced it would offer a flag exchange as it prepares to host Sunday’s Coke Zero 400. Track president Joie Chitwood said fans wouldn’t be banned from having the Confederate flag in the infield this weekend. 
   
   Last weekend, NASCAR Chairman Brian France said the sanctioning body would go “as far as we can” to eliminate the Confederate flag from its events. 
   
   Thursday’s statement: 
   
   “As members of the NASCAR industry, we join NASCAR in the desire to make our events among the most fan-friendly, welcoming environments in all of sports and entertainment. 
   
   “To do that, we are asking our fans and partners to join us in a renewed effort to create an all-inclusive, even more welcoming atmosphere for all who attend our events. This will include the request to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at our facilities and NASCAR events. 
   
   “We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere free of offensive symbols. This is an opportunity for NASCAR Nation to demonstrate its sense of mutual respect and acceptance for all who attend our events while collectively sharing the tremendous experience of NASCAR racing.” 
   
   SIGNATORIES International Speedway Corporation (ISC) Auto Club Speedway Chicagoland Speedway Darlington Raceway Daytona International Speedway Homestead-Miami Speedway Kansas Speedway Martinsville Speedway Michigan International Speedway Phoenix International Raceway Richmond International Raceway Route 66 Raceway Talladega Superspeedway Watkins Glen International Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI) Atlanta Motor Speedway Bristol Motor Speedway Charlotte Motor Speedway Kentucky Speedway Las Vegas Motor Speedway New Hampshire Motor Speedway Sonoma Raceway Texas Motor Speedway Dover International Speedway Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pocono Raceway Iowa Speedway Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Road America Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Eldora Speedway Gateway Motorsports Park ||||| Although NASCAR has banned the use of the Confederate flag in any official capacity, fans are still allowed to fly the flag, and it’s customary to see the symbol all over the infield at NASCAR events — especially in the south. 
   
   With the Sprint Cup series heading to Daytona International Speedway this weekend for the Coke Zero 400, DIS president Joie Chitwood announced that fans can voluntarily exchange Confederate flags for American flags at the event. 
   
   Via the Orlando Sentinel: 
   
   “We want to be open and inclusive. We want to celebrate the American flag this weekend. That’s the flag that we should be celebrating. We’re going to have flags available so if fans want to exchange whatever flags they have for an American flag, we want to make sure they wave our nation’s flag. It’s our nation’s birthday. We’re going to have military there. That’s going to be our goal.” 
   
   NASCAR stood behind South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s call to remove the Confederate flag from capitol grounds last week. ||||| View photo . 
   
   The statement signed by 30 tracks, including the tracks owned by International Speedway Corporation and Speedway Motorsports Inc., is as follows: 
   
   “As members of the NASCAR industry, we join NASCAR in the desire to make our events among the most fan-friendly, welcoming environments in all of sports and entertainment. 
   
   “To do that, we are asking our fans and partners to join us in a renewed effort to create an all-inclusive, even more welcoming atmosphere for all who attend our events. This will include the request to refrain from displaying the Confederate Flag at our facilities and NASCAR events. 
   
   “We are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere free of offensive symbols. This is an opportunity for NASCAR Nation to demonstrate its sense of mutual respect and acceptance for all who attend our events while collectively sharing the tremendous experience of NASCAR racing.” 
   
   A NASCAR spokesperson said the request would pertain to "overt displays" of the Confederate flag. If you're a fan wanting to bring in a 15-foot Confederate flag to fly on track property while at a race or are planning to use the symbol as a way to make a boisterous statement, you're likely going to be asked to not do so and possibly escorted out of the track premises. 
   
   The statement from NASCAR's tracks is a continuation of the theme started by NASCAR chairman Brian France last week. In an interview with the Associated Press, France said he wanted the flag eliminated from NASCAR events. 
   
   After France's comments, it was clear that the sport with strong southern roots preferred fans to not loudly display Confederate symbols. Thursday's statement makes it even more obvious, though we'll freely admit the request's success hinges more on fans making the (smart) decision not to display the flag than it does on tracks' ability to find offenders. 
   
   
   
   Daytona International Speedway, site of Sunday's race, is hosting a Confederate flag exchange program for any fan who wants to turn in his or her Confederate flag for an American flag. The spokesperson said the program could be extended to other tracks as well. 
   
   
   
   The sport does not sell any officially-licensed merchandise with the Confederate flag symbol and previously said it supported the effort to remove the Confederate flag from the grounds at the South Carolina Capitol. 
   
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   Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! 
   
   Follow @NickBromberg
target: – Last week, NASCAR's chief said he didn't want his sport associated with the Confederate flag. Today, the tracks on which the cars race seconded that by asking fans not to display the flag during races, reports NBC Sports. The joint statement is issued as a "request" to fans in the spirit of "providing a welcoming atmosphere free of offensive symbols." And though it's not laid down as a rule, Yahoo Sports says it amounts to one: "If you're a fan wanting to bring in a 15-foot Confederate flag to fly on track property while at a race or are planning to use the symbol as a way to make a boisterous statement, you're likely going to be asked to not do so and possibly escorted out of the track premises. " Meanwhile, those who attend this weekend's race at Daytona speedway can exchange a Confederate flag for an American one, notes USA Today. (The Dukes of Hazzard is also caught up in the controversy.)