CHARLOTTE, N.C -- Some race fans are not happy about NASCAR's decision to ban the confederate flag.

Smitty Smith, a member of a local group "Old North State Flaggers," is taking issue with the recent announcement.

He and his group are responsible for dozens of 20- and 40-foot Confederate flags along highways from Tennessee to South Carolina in the last couple of years.

According to him, the flag is meant to remember people's ancestors instead of hurting anyone. He believe NASCAR's decision was based on money.

"All of us had ancestors that fought in the Civil War and we put flags up to honor their memory," he says. "Any of these flags are not put up in celebration of the war, they are put up to honor the memories."

Smitty says despite recent protests and calls to take down Confederate statues and symbols across the nation, his group will continue to put flags up on private properties.

He says he hopes everyone understands they are not trying to offend anyone.