Posted on 07/03/2004 1:03:26 PM PDT by wagglebee
Patriotic rage is being fueled this holiday weekend near the nation's birthplace after a local NASCAR racetrack in Virginia has banned the flying of flags in the track infield, prompting at least eight employees to quit their jobs.
"This is the Fourth of July weekend, and we're at war!" says Bryan Bowyer, who just resigned his position as chief steward and race director at Langley Speedway in Hampton, Va.
"The whole basis of our society is our flag and what this weekend represents. The ban just pushed me over the edge."
Bowyer says in addition to himself, more than half a dozen others decided to resign their positions, including the entire scoring staff, two officials with the race-sanctioning body NASCAR, and the scoreboard operator.
The track's owner, Dwight Schaubach, denies there's a total ban on the American flag, but explains there's a new preclusion against flying any sort of banner, flag or windsock in the track's infield, potentially obstructing the view of race fans.
"It has nothing to do with the American flag," Schaubach told WorldNetDaily. "I have not abandoned any particular flag. I'm just as much a Southerner and an American as anyone. I have flags on my personal cars. I just don't want them flying in the infield."
Langley Speedway is located in the heart of America's military country. The .395-mile asphalt oval track is directly across the street from Langley Air Force Base, and NASA's wind tunnel is viewable from the stands. The U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet is headquarted just a half-hour away at Norfolk, Va.
The track does have a giant U.S. flag posted, which racing enthusiasts face when the national anthem is being played.
Schaubach says several spectators have complained about the flags on the infield getting in their way of the action, though he couldn't provide a specific number.
He adds the ban was instituted two weeks ago, and has been posted on the track's website:
As of this date, 6/21/04, all flags, banners, socks, etc. will be prohibited from being displayed (flown) in the infield pit area at any time.
All haulers are restricted from having anything attached that would extend higher than the roofline of the trailer except for approved platforms, and handrails. The promoter has the right at any time to have objects that do not conform to this rule removed.
Any competitor, crewmember, or owner that refuses to abide by this rule will be asked to leave the facility until notified by the track officials on actions to be taken.
I hope this will help everyone at the speedway have a better viewing of race activities, and enjoy the show better.
"The flags in no way inhibited my view," Bowyer explained, saying he believes there's another reason for the blanket proscription on infield flags.
Bowyer says he was told by a track employee close to Schaubach that the track owner had been offended by someone flying a Confederate flag in the infield, and thus decided to preclude banners of all kinds.
"That is absolutely incorrect," Schaubach responded to the allegation.
The issue came to a head Thursday night, when one driver in the Late Model Sportsman division was told he would be disqualified for flying the American flag on his car's hauler.
When track management considered potential punishment, other drivers refused to race, as they rallied behind their fellow motorist who wouldn't remove the Stars and Stripes.
The race did eventually take place later that night, after hundreds of fans had already filed out of the stands.
The flap over the flag has become a hot topic on RaceRap.com, a Virginia-based messageboard for auto-racing fans.
"Langley must apologize! Plain and simple," writes website owner Bob Barney, suggesting a possible solution to the matter. He proposes the track host a "flag night" next week, where fans bringing an American flag with them would get a discount off their ticket price.
"I certainly hope that management at Langley Speedway stops for a moment and realizes what happened [Thursday] night. It was America at its best! Everyone makes mistakes. I think that this whole issue had more to do with past events than the American flag. What we saw last night was the stick that broke the camel's back and American democracy working! What better timing, but on the 4th of July?"
As far as Bowyer is concerned, he says he'll miss directing the races at Langley, but honoring U.S. troops in Iraq and elsewhere is more important.
"I give allegiance to what protects me and my family, and that comes first," he said.
How about.....NO. We'll fly our battle flag any dang time we please. You don't like it....well, tuff #%$@.
I am a contractor over here....
I see the Confederate flag as derisive....that is something that will not help strengthen unity. the US flag though, is something to be respected highly. To say that you see it and hate it, makes me want to puke. Patriotic? please....
what is this We stuff anyway....speak for yourself...
Yeah didn't you fly your battle flag on July 3rd 1863 on the fields of Gettysburg when the North handed your butts to you?
Get over yourselves....you are part of the United States....the CSA is no more and is confined to the history books, where they should stay. Hell the next thing you will say is that slavery was a good idea to help the black man in his "development". Come on Strom...get with it....
Yeah I forgot Vicksburg too....you lost that one as well right around July 4th.....
I'm not taking your race bait, boy. Fact is, on the battlefield the blue zone invaders suffered far more casualties. Like I said before....we'll fly our battle flag any dang time we please. What you gonna do about it, besides call us racists? I reckon you don't think too highly of General George Washington or many of our slave-owning founding fathers. You've got that leftist stink on you boy.
Christ I can hear your southern accent already.....
race bait? negative on that....
Sure I am a leftist...right whatever...sure thing....
fly the flag of your, mine and our country....fly the other flag at reenactments....
Certainly the North suffered more casualities...but guess what....they still WON......
Let me ask you this (although I know the answer): Who do you think should be on the $5 dollar bill...Lincoln, Davis or Lee?
AS for this comment "I reckon you don't think too highly of General George Washington or many of our slave-owning founding fathers.", I really wish you would know that your OWN COMMANDING GENERAL DIDNT HAVE ANY SLAVES!!! And just because George Washington had owned slaves and so did some of the other founding fathers, doesn't make it RIGHT.
As I said before, GET OVER YOURSELF and join the USA already like your STATE did 140 years ago.....
Like I said before....we'll fly the battle flag any dang time we please.
"Let me ask you this (although I know the answer): Who do you think should be on the $5 dollar bill...Lincoln, Davis or Lee?
I'd choose Ronald Reagan. He makes lincoln look like the Constitution trashing leftist he was.
"And just because George Washington had owned slaves and so did some of the other founding fathers, doesn't make it RIGHT."
It also doesn't mean we should only fly the the Stars and Stripes on Washington's Birthday or the Fourth of July. Get it?
That's not what I said. What I said is that the Stars & Stripes is a still Yankee flag. It is as symbolic here as is the Confederate battle flag.
Yes, the North won. But they don't need to take a crap on my front lawn about it every morning at 6:00 AM.
As to patriotic, if you can find a more patriotic people anywhere, please let me know. I'm not aware of them.
what is this We stuff anyway....speak for yourself...
I am. But I know about the general feelings here. Northern VA, around DC, would not be the same. You get down around Roanoke, and you better be driving a pick-up truck. One that was made in America. A Ford F150 or a Dodge RAM will do. No Toyotas.
You take care over there. God speed.
YOu didnt answer my questions....
that was not one of the choices...Reagan should be on the $10 bill thank you....
Talk about Lincoln all you want, guess what...he kept this country together when it was literally busting at the seems....
Fly it all the time if you want....you are still wrong....
Go watch Pro Fake Wrestling or something....
Thank you...
I will drive my Chrysler....
every japanese car I have had has fallen apart...all 1 of them....
Dwight Schaubach's explanation is unconvincing. He's not a Southerner, not even a Yankee; he's an anti-American Leftist. I'm glad people are taking a stand against this PC nonsense. Its the worst thing to do at a NASCAR event and people aren't takin' it lying down. Even John F*ckin' wouldn't dare ban the American Flag at HIS rallies... sheesh, the idiots in this country!
I don't need some hot dog vendor to give me permission to fly any flag. This is the land of the Free and the home of the brave.
He's not going to get it. He's probably a commie from from MA.
But he is serving our country in Iraq, so I will cut him some slack. Quite a bit.
Yeah... We don't need no steenkeen' permission to be patriots - never have and never will.
hot dog vendor LOL....you're funny
home of the free indeed...especially all the slaves you idiots held in the 1860's.....
He's a contractor.....not a grunt. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I hear even the truck drivers over there make six figures.
I already told you boy....I ain't gonna take your leftist race bait.
Whatever...
you have already proven yourself to be a racist...
Truly you are the kind of person John Kerry wants America to see....the kind that will turn the independent and centrist Republicans away from GW and to him....
Oh really....I must have missed that part. I doubt many folks reading this have missed your leftist, race-baiting debating tactics though.
Sure thing.......and all those other people would read my other posts and realize that you are the one that is calling me a leftist for no reason, not because what I am saying actually falls to the left....
What is a hot dog vendor by the way? I haven't ever heard that one before....
You are the one saying I am trying to bait you with racial stuff...I am just stating facts and other lines of thought from the time....check up on your history....you need to anyway....
speak for yourself anyway....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.