The Metro Council Minority Caucus and the Nashville NAACP issued statements calling on the Metropolitan Board of Fair Commissioners to investigate the incident and to review its oversight rules.

In its statement, the Minority Caucus described the flag as a symbol of "a painful history of slavery, segregation, and racial oppression" and said its appearance at a publicly owned facility conflicts with the values the city should uphold.

"Its display at a city-owned facility is deeply troubling and inconsistent with the values of dignity, inclusion, and respect that should define our public spaces," the caucus said.

Both groups asked the Fair Board to examine its "existing policies and oversight procedures, and establish clear, enforceable standards to prevent similar occurrence." The caucus added that the city's commitment to being welcoming "must be reflected not only in what we say, but in what we permit, what we prohibit, and how we respond when those values are challenged," and said it expects "transparency, accountability, and meaningful action from those entrusted with managing our public facilities."

Jasper Hendricks, chair of the Metropolitan Board of Fair Commissioners, said he met with speedway staff after last weekend's race and is confident they will do a better job enforcing standards on offensive language and imagery. But he also said the board's authority has limits.

"As a government body, the Fair Board cannot regulate speech, and it shouldn't," Hendricks said.

Hendricks said he had already convened the board before the groups released their public statements and had not received calls from them. He encouraged residents to contact him before going public in the future.

The Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway operates on property owned by Metro Nashville, making questions of oversight and permitted conduct at the track a matter of public policy as well as sport. The Fair Board oversees the fairgrounds property.

The incident comes as Nashville officials continue to debate how the city's public spaces should reflect its stated commitment to inclusion. The groups' request puts pressure on the Fair Board to clarify what standards apply to events held at city-owned facilities and how those standards are enforced.

It was not immediately clear what specific action, if any, the Fair Board plans to take in response to the request for an investigation.