Despite officials’ continued requests to keep Confederate battle flags away from NASCAR tracks, some fans proudly displayed their banners at the Sprint Cup Series in Loudon, N.H., on Sunday.
Fans took to Twitter, posting photos of their Confederate-flag-emblazoned T-shirts and hats, arguing that displaying the symbol is an act of free speech.
One woman, using her Twitter handle @justinemee
, sent a message to NASCAR saying, “Got my confederate flag on for tomorrow! I dare you to make me take it off!”
In an attempt to discourage fans from displaying the flags, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where the biannual race is held, offered to exchange Confederate flags for an American flag or race flag of choice, free of charge, according to Kristen Lestock, the communications director for the speedway.
“Our goal is always to provide a fan-friendly atmosphere to all of our guests here,” Lestock said in a statement. “We’re simply asking NASCAR fans to focus on the one flag we all support with pride — the American Flag.”
As of Sunday afternoon, no fans had taken advantage of the deal, she said.
Last month, NASCAR chairman Brian France said he supports the eradication of the Confederate flag.
“We will be as aggressive as possible to disassociate NASCAR events from an offensive and divisive symbol,” France said in a statement. “We are working with the industry right now to achieve that goal.”
Jacqueline Tempera can be reached at jacqueline.tempera@globe.com. Follow her on twitter @jacktemp
