Golfer Bubba Watson’s plans to “drive a parade lap around Phoenix International Raceway in the original General Lee car” from the show "The Dukes of Hazzard" before the March 4 Sprint Cup Series race “have been scrapped,” according to Jim Utter of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. The problem is "the Confederate flag image" on the roof of the car. NASCAR Managing Dir of Integrated Marketing Communications David Higdon on Friday said, "NASCAR, International Speedway Corp. and Phoenix International Raceway officials discussed this and decided it was not in the best interest of our sport.” He added, "The image of the Confederate flag is not something that should play an official role in our sport as we continue to reach out to new fans and make NASCAR more inclusive" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/18). Watson said, “NASCAR was built on moonshining, so the show was built on moonshining. I thought it was fun. I didn’t buy the car to get publicity; I bought it because I love it” (AP, 2/17). YAHOO SPORTS’ Jay Busbee wrote the decision is “going to rile up hardcore fans, but so be it.” NASCAR has to “play to a larger fanbase now” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 2/17).
