June 13th, 2008 
Journo It came out earlier this week that former NASCAR Nationwide Series official Mauricia Grant had filed a lawsuit against NASCAR with claims of intense racism and sexual harassment. If these allegations pan out NASCAR needs to make sweeping changes to ensure this never happens again. However, my post today is not so much about the lawsuit, but the apparent image problem that NASCAR is still burdened with.
Throughout this past week I have seen and read many editorials by writers from San Diego to New York. Perhaps my favorite headline from the week, “NASCAR struggles to outgrow redneck image.” Really? I understand there is a certain stigma that goes with the sport. I hear it from my friends who don’t watch the sport, and I scold them every time. Despite this, there was some hope in me that even the press outside of motorsports saw the changing face.
The sport’s Southern roots have been hard to outgrow, and despite the movement of the sport from coast to coast people still associate the negative aspects of that region of the country from a different period of time. Can I say racism does not exist in the sport? Absolutely not, and there have been times I have heard less than flattering stories about people in the sport. Honestly though I think NASCAR is making a concerted effort to welcome people of different backgrounds into the sport.
The Drive for Diversity and NASCAR Diversity Internship program’s have exposed many women and minorities to a sport that in its heart is welcoming and friendly. I know that many drivers and team owners are committed to making this a success. Despite this, as David Poole put it the other day, “Diversity isn’t NASCAR’s strongest suit” and I would tend to agree with him. In spite of the efforts through the Diversity Programs there are few minorities in the sport’s premier levels. Likewise there are only a handful of minorities that serve as NASCAR officials throughout the three series.
I unfortunately cannot suggest a comprehensive plan for shifting this in the right direction. Beyond what NASCAR and teams are already doing, it is hard to force diversity. Again David Poole made a good point when he said the lack of diversity “puts a bullseye on the sports backside.”
NASCAR has some problems in the diversity department that truly need to be addressed. Despite this it is important to not let the actions of a few put a negative stereotype on the whole.
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Yeah, I pretty much feel the same way, although I feel like women still have a tough time in the sport.
For instance, my junior year in college, I was all set to apply for an internship with NASCAR. I couldn’t get a descent one because most of the internship programs were for people from different countries or you had to come from a diverse background. Basically a white female had a snowballs chance in hell of getting one.
From what I’ve heard about what the lady claims, sometimes you have to think about the environment you’re going to work in. It’s almost like a female journalist going into an NFL locker room after a game almost. There’s going to be crude humor and comments. She’s working in a male dominated sport.
“The sport’s Southern roots have been hard to outgrow” — Please tell me why they have to be outgrown? ———– “Can I say racism does not exist in the sport?” For every white racist, I can find you a black racist.
Joe – Thanks for reading the site. I would agree with you that the roots from the South run very deep and are something that can never be forgotten. As a lover of NASCAR history I can tell you I know as well as anybody the importance of that legacy on where the sport is today. However as NASCAR evolves into a global sport, it cannot simply cater to one region of the country. Likewise I know many inside and outside of the garage find it offensive to come into a race track on Sunday and see a Confederate flag flying high through the infield. I have heard drivers say, including Dale Jr., that it is something that is offensive and unnecessary. For many it symbolizes racism, intolerance and division. So do I think we need to forget? No. Do we need to grow and advance, absolutely. As far as the racism question goes, I would say that racism does not have a face or color.
Ditto on the confederate flag.
Great site, great posts, keep it up!
This is not about “Southern roots,” unless you are talking about deep rooted racism. Regions do not have to define perspectives, and for NASCAR, this is a significant problem that extends far beyond who can and should watch races.
This is a cultural problem that has leaked into the sports realm. For people to feel comfortable enough at these events and within this sport to make others feel uncomfortable based on their race or gender, is a serious and sickening problem.
I find it disturbing that some would choose to find the Confederate flag a symbol of racism. I see it as a symbol of my southern heritage which is something that I am unapologetically proud of. The Confederate flag became a symbol of racism for some due to the fact that a “racist” group declared it to be a racist symbol. I would not attempt to do anything offensive to anyone and I certainly would not condone racism. I determine who I associate with on a personal level based on the individual, not on race or ethnicity. To try and make this point I could say that I find Jr’s past and current sponsors as offensive(which I don’t). Anheuser-Busch – alcohol product, responsible for how many deaths each year. Amp – probably not very high on the nutrition chart. National Guard – Anti military(anti American) groups currently protest armed forces. Sure as heck does not make them right.
In the great words of Mr. King, “Can’t we all just get along?”
That’s all I have to say about that.
Love Forrest.