UPDATED JUNE 09, 2020 10:52 AM
Amid the masked, mostly white faces at NASCAR’s Sunday race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, one official stood out. Kirk Price, a 49-year-old African American, saluted the flag from his knee during the national anthem.
“I come from humble beginnings and I believe in humble protesting,” Price said.
NASCAR condemned racial injustice and racism during its pre-race ceremony with a message from the sport’s president, Steve Phelps, as well as a video organized by Cup Series drivers that recognized Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, African Americans who were unjustly murdered this year because of their skin color. Floyd’s recent death at the hands of Minnesota police has sparked nationwide protests, which are continuing into a third week.
