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.
Freeping Information:
Langley Speedway
3165 North Armistead Ave.
Hampton, VA 23666
Phone: (757) 865-1100
Fax: (757) 865-1147
Email: langleyinfo@langleyspeedway.com
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Brink Nelms
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Debbie Case
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Mary Shepp
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Bryan Bowyer
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Brian Crawford
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I'm confused. What kind of moron would think they could do something like that without enraging race fans? I have to wonder if this is a new owners who doesn't understand race fans and other people involved.
When we go to MIS its pretty much a 'given' that flags are lowered at race time.
I bet this gets resolved pretty quickly unless the owner plans to close his doors.
People should fly their flags anyway. Track management will back down.
I just went to their website and that racetrack is closed from July 1 until July 10. When do you think people are going to gather in the racetrack infield? Someone got some bad information. This track is not even open.
First of all, I kind of doubt that if every spectator at the race on the infield flies a flag that the race promoter will kick them all out (they have no balls)
and secondly, how about we not fly the Confederate flag on the 4th of July? The 4th of July is the birthday of the USA, not the CSA....
I'm not military and this is not going over well with me!
"I just went to their website and that racetrack is closed from July 1 until July 10. "
Really? Could this be a bogus story? If so, it will circulate forever on the web and via email. But...if you went to the site and found that the track's own site says it is closed....
If they want to ban the American flag, it should be done places like a Barbra Streisand concert or the Democratic National Convention -- you know, places that patriotic Americans would never be caught dead in.
You would think so.
Yes sort of odd I would say since NASCAR is in Daytona this weekend. I somehow think old glory will be flying there.
PINGS
1-Jul 75 off 50 25 25 20 Fireworks
3-Jul Closed
10-Jul 50 40 50 off 20 off 20
And here's the track's schedule. Looks like there are no events planned for July 4 at all.
WorldNet Daily apparently strikes again.
Several track stewards resigned yesterday in protest.
First of all, it was the union flag that was flying. Secondly, this is a concerted effort from NASCAR that has been going on for years to whitewash anything Southern from the sport. Ban all flags then they can't be blamed for being the regionalists they are. I bet the France family would feel right at home if they just moved all of NASCAR to Vermont. The way they're going, sooner or later it will be.
you completely and totally misread what I put in my post but thats alright.....
the union flag....get over yourself....the flag of the United States is what you mean...
HAMPTON -- Seven officials at Langley Speedway resigned on Friday, a day after track officials threatened to disqualify a driver after he refused to take down an American flag he was flying on his hauler.
Bryan Bowyer, the track's chief steward, confirmed that he and six other track officials quit Friday, protesting track owner Dwight Schaubach's policy against flying flags in the infield.
"I told Brink Nelms (Langley's general manager) that I could not agree with a ban on the American flag in the infield," Bowyer said. "That's why I and the others quit. It's a matter of respect for the American flag."
Track closed July 1 to July 10. So what? How does that make the article bogus?
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