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African-American NASCAR Fans: It's Not a Whites-Only Sport - Part Two

An Opinion



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July 9, 2010

By Rebecca Gladden

Rebecca Gladden


Last week in Part I African-American NASCAR Fans: It's Not a Whites-Only Sport, I introduced you to three African-American NASCAR fans that I met via Twitter: Willie from Wisconsin, Jessica from North Carolina, and Marcy from California. They graciously accepted my invitation to answer some questions about being NASCAR fans from their unique perspective. The panel's answers challenge stereotypes on two fronts: that blacks do not follow NASCAR, and that NASCAR does not care about attracting fans of color.

As Part II of my interview demonstrates, NASCAR is making inroads with African-American fans, but there is much more work to be done.

Continued from Part One:

6. Does it bother you that there are not more successful African-American drivers? Why do you think there are not more?

A. Willie: No, not at all. It will happen one day. Look at Juan Pablo Montoya. He made it in. So I'm pretty sure a black-American driver will break through. I continuously hear drivers speak on how difficult it is to get into NASCAR, let alone the Cup Series. The owners and sponsors would have a difficult time with a black driver. The fans are just too static. I believe that it would be a lot of controversy if there was a black-American driver winning in NASCAR. Look at Jeff Gordon when he started, look at Jimmie Johnson now. When drivers aren't the norm by NASCAR standards, fans have a difficult time changing. That norm would be 'Good Ole Boys.' Anything that deviates is wrong. I think it is more of a socioeconomic status thing. Most black-American families don't have the funds to pursue (racing) for their children. I have heard the struggles and sacrifices of many drivers' families and most black families are just trying to make it. It's sort of a luxury. Most of the field and court sports are cheap. The money to maintain a cart or funny car is expensive. I may be wrong, but I truly believe that socioeconomic status plays a huge part in the disparity.

B. Jessica: It does, mostly because I want a driver that I can relate to and it's hard to relate to a white male when you are an African-American female. I think there are not more African-American NASCAR drivers because most African-American children don't grow up with family that likes NASCAR, so they just grow up not knowing about the sport.

C. Marcy: No. Just because there aren't any Cup level black drivers at this time doesn't mean that there won't be more minorities in the NASCAR in the future. Personally, I'm not concerned with a driver's race or ethnicity. It's their ability that matters and anyone who dedicates him or herself to learning and competing in this sport will hopefully get what they work to obtain. Whenever you have a sport where there are hefty expenses, specialized equipment, specialized training and limited access to training facilities you are not going to see a lot of diversity unless you visit every facility and really look. And just because you don't see it doesn't mean its not there. My nephew (who is biracial) gets the same question because he is an ice skater. Why aren't there more blacks in ice skating? It's not his job to answer for why other minorities aren't doing what he's doing. It's his job to do his best and achieve what he wants. If you happened to be at a rink when he's training then you will see that there are minorities who participate; if you're not there you remain oblivious.


7. Do you support the NASCAR Diversity Program, and why or why not?

A. Willie: I did not even know about a NASCAR Diversity Program. I will look into it now.

B. Jessica: I have not heard of the NASCAR Diversity Program.

C. Marcy: I've heard a little info about NASCAR's Diversity Program. I believe that the man who headed the program for NASCAR was once a higher-up for DEI. I saw an article on NASCAR.com early this year about some new drivers that are in the program and doing well. There's no reason not to support NASCAR's effort to attract a wide variety of people to compete.


8. What else do you think NASCAR could do to attract more fans of color?

A. Willie: Promote on BET. Lol! No, seriously, promote in the inner city. Get some drivers to participate in some outreach programs. Find some black-American drivers.

B. Jessica: Show commercials on networks that target people of color. Put fans with color in their commercials.

C. Marcy: I think the current group of drivers are excellent ambassadors for the sport. They are highly visible and involved in all communities. You cannot make everyone like this sport - either they do or they don't. But increased exposure to it will attract those who have never had the opportunity to see a stockcar in action. NASCAR's efforts to get more media coverage for the sport, having the drivers with national endorsements that reach a broad spectrum of people, and the fact the drivers are real people will continue to help attract new spectators to the sport regardless of skin color.


9. Anything else you'd like to add or explain, please do!

A. Willie: I love NASCAR now that I actually had the time to watch an event. I was hooked from that point on. The Chase makes it uber exciting. It keeps my blood pressure up, especially when my favorite driver is moving towards the front with less than twenty laps left - the double file restarts, crashes, races off of pit road, and speed. Once NASCAR hooks you, it has you. They need to have more night races though. I just love night races. It's saddening that their aren't many black-American drivers but, as I stated earlier, that time will come.

B. Jessica - Thank you for the chance to be heard about the sport that I love.

C. Marcy - (see above)

Note: The NASCAR Diversity Program began in 2004 to support talented young minority racecar drivers and other team personnel hoping for careers in NASCAR. Visit www.NascarDiversity.com for more information.

Thank you to my panel for their informative and insightful opinions. Your thoughts? Email me!

Follow Rebecca on Twitter: @nscrwriter




You can contact Rebecca at.. Insider Racing News



You Can Read Other Articles By Rebecca

The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.

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