About this time last year I wrote a post about NASCAR’s diversity. I called it “Strive for Diversity.” You see I’m among those who think there is value in having people of different backgrounds in our sport. We’re all at our best when we judge people for who they are and not what they look like.
In fact one of my very favorite things about sport is that it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from; if you’re talented and devoted you can be successful. Sure, you may not become a millionaire or famous, but you can still have success (though I’m aware NASCAR is a little different than other sports). Sport can serve as a great equalizer.
As NASCAR held it’s Drive for Diversity combine this week, an effort to find ten talented, young minority drivers, I got to thinking about my post from last year. And you know I’m still not sure the NASCAR way is the best way
Since we spoke last, the program has changed quite a bit. Instead of placing drivers with teams across the country, NASCAR announced a while back they would begin fielding teams for those participating. They hired former DEI executive Max Siegel and his 909 Group to oversee the program.
Under the banner of Revolution Racing, Siegel and partner John Story (another former DEI exec) will run the 10 teams on behalf of NASCAR. Siegel has also, along with producer Ken Mok, created a show to air on BET promoting the program.
Now that’s all well and good, but I still have a hard time believing that forcing the issue is the answer. Perhaps one of these drivers is the next big thing, but until one of them wins (a lot), no major team is going to take a second look at them. NASCAR can provide an opportunity, but they can’t create raw talent (time will tell if they have that necessary talent in the new class).
I said above that sport is a great equalizer, and while I think NASCAR does have it’s differences, talent will win out in the end (yes, even over money). The fact is if you’re not any good, no one is going to pick you up. If you’re mediocre, no one’s going to pick you up. Only the best make it to the upper echelon of the sport.
Stepping back to NASCAR’s involvement though, they had originally refused to be directly involved with the teams that fielded these drivers, instead turning that over to independent team owners, citing a conflict of interest. Apparently that opinion changed, though I think clearly the conflict still exists.
The fact is, the program has a negative stigma inside the sport. It’s a joke to many who have seen lackluster results in its five year existence. Now with NASCAR directly involved, I think when one of these drivers does shine through, they will have to deal with people arguing they’re only good because they’re in NASCAR’s equipment. I don’t know if I was in one of these driver’s shoes, if that is something I would want to deal with.
I know what you’re saying right now: “Journo you’re quick to criticize but you have no solutions.” And honestly I’ll admit I don’t.
One thing I can tell you for sure though is that we need a more diverse sport. We’ll be better off for it and we’ll likely attract an even larger fan base. I’m skeptical D4D can work, but I just don’t have a good alternative.
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on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 7:07 am
You can’t make people change the way they think, and that’s always been the problem in increasing diversity in NASCAR. It’s regrettable, but that doesn’t mean the effort is without merit. The idea is to provide opportunity, to open a door that otherwise would not be there for worthwhile talent.
But what will make D4D a success will be when a driver emerges from the program who has the skills to compete at the higher levels of the sport. My hope is that Paulie Haraka is just that driver. I watched one of his races this year, and the guy can drive. If he wants it, he has a bright future. And if Haraka succeeds, in my eyes, D4D becomes a success.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 8:58 am
The only driver out of the program that has had any success that I can think of is Aric Almirola. I think he has as much business in a cup car as many other drivers currently in the series. I wonder though if he would have had his success regardless of the D4D program? Talent is talent.
Question, in what series is NASCAR providing the equipment?
I’m in agreement RE: NASCAR pushing the issue (being directly involved). It seems that today, if you have a sponsor or can bring money to a team, you’ve got yourself a ride. The only color team owners are seeing now is green. They don’t care who’s bringing the dollars. NASCAR funding 10 teams for drivers bringing nothing to the table except their ethnicity is going to ruffle some feathers I think. Granted, there’s going to be some threshold of talent in order to secure one of these 10 seats but still, that doesn’t mean a whole lot to the guy out trying to hustle a ride in the garage every weekend & on the phone 15 hours a day during the week searching for a sponsor.
Maybe we can get Mr. Menard to fund the D4D program? He certainly would get more beneficial exposure for his company & a better public opinion than where he’s currently spending his money.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 am
Licker: There will be 4 truck series teams and 6 Whelan All American series teams according to the article linked above.
I think it’s a good idea. I’m not a fan of affirmative action in general but in this case I think it’s a good option. Access to stock car racing is a lot harder than access to baseball, soccer or even golf.
D4D doesn’t need to go on forever; it just needs to get the ball rolling.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 10:37 am
I agree with Ross: It’s not like D4D is operating a Cup or Nationwide car. It’s no different than when Jack Roush was operating his Gong Show. Except that there is a criteria involved which is race and sex.
Right now, it’s probably best that D4D operates. It would be nice if auto racing wasn’t so expensive to get into as opposed to football or ladden with a racist history (although people forget that football and baseball were integrated in the 1930s and 40s.
But when football and baseball integrated, the teams got their players from the “Negro” leagues. So perhaps the D4D leagues is following an old idea that worked in the past. But I believe it will take years to get the system rolling well and Siegal and Story centralizing the teams will help in tracking the driver’s development and help manage assets better.
I wish them well.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
Ross: I think D4D is a good idea too. NASCAR funding & entering trucks in a NASCAR event though? Definitely a conflict of interest in my eyes.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 10:58 am
Yowser: The difference is that Jack Roush is not the sanctioning body of the races he is entering his gong show trucks in.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 11:00 am
I do not agree that the D4D is needed in NASCAR. As far as I know it is not in other sports. If you are very good at what you do, usually someone spots you. The problem in MASCAR is money. Someone has to be attracted to your abilities in order for them to fork out money to back you. There are many very talented drivers who do not get that opportunity, no matter who they are, simply because of the needed funds to succeed.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 11:35 am
It think the the whole business of the sport is going to have to change for D4D to work. It think of DEI and its (current/former?)driver Jesus Hernadez, he was a better racer than Jeffery Earnhardt, but Earnhardt has the name sponsors want, so tough luck Jesus welcome aboard Jeffrey.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
IMHO D4D is not neccessary. The new D4D format is definitely a conflict of interest in the purest form.
Let me get this straight…a non-D4D driver competes against a D4D driver in a series santioned by the same office that supports the D4D driver. That’s like MLB owning my Atlanta Braves. You think the umpiring lately in the MLB has been suspect? Imagine how many blown calls (ie phantom yellows)would go against the other National league opponents throughout the season??? On 2nd thought, maybe that’s what the Braves need to get back into the playoffs!
Can Dale Jr. qualify as a D4D driver? Perhaps just the boost the 88 needs!
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Windowlicker- It’s four Camping World East Seris teams and six Whelan All American teams
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Neon: What about Bud Selig?
I totally get that it’s a bit uncomfortable but really, the calls will become more fair for everyone with so many eyes scrutinizing every decision.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
So if you are a white man with no money and no access into the sport but have the talent you need not apply and this is not discrimination. My opinion of this is that it sucks I don’t really care what color you are as long as you earn your way like everyone else.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
talent will win out in the end (yes, even over money)
Except in the case of Paul Menard, John Wes Townley, Ken Butler’s kid(s)…
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 5:34 pm
While I would normally agree with the author regarding his statement “talent will win out in the end”,this is most definitely not the exact case in NASCAR. You cannot tell me that Paul Menard still has a ride because he is the best possible talent. He may be “the best driver with a rich father”,but surely there are more talented drivers deserving of a chance. The point is that it is no different giving a driver a shot based on ethnicity than it is based on relatives and family relations. The only difference is NASCAR is the “rich father” footing the bill.
on Oct 22nd, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Ragin and Joe: The difference is John Wes and Ken Butler’s Kids won’t be in rides very long. Paul Menard is a different story, because he isn’t terrible and he has an endless supply of money behind him.
on Oct 23rd, 2009 at 6:23 am
I agree with Keith. Make your way in this sport the way it has done for the last 60 years. This handout, entitlement mentallity is what is ruining this country.