Nascar Diversity

[Mr.Daytona]

I for one would like to see Danica and or Any female come to Nascar. They speak of their Diversity program, I maybe see it in the Team members and Nascar itself, but it sure isnt working when it comes to Drivers. Nascar needs some women in All of their series. If they want to even think they are diverse. And that doesnt even address the Lack of Race in Nascar.
Nascar is unlike other any other of the major sports, PGA /LPGA, USTA/ WUSTA, NBA /WNBA even bowling and Billiards, they All have a league designed for women. Women are looked at as equals in nascar and if they want to compete they will have to do so against the Guys. Is that the reason there isnt any in the Sport ? I'm not sure, I just know that I would like to see some woman give Nascar a try.
And when it comes to people of Color/Race, Man is Nascar behind. I can recall just 1 colored driver in the past decade "Bill Lester" and he never even made it to cup. NBA has to be the leader when it comes diversity of Race/Color and Ethnicity. Baseball too, Soccer for sure. Wake up Nascar.
Why is Nascar so far behid ?

[beishuizen91]

I dont think NASCAR is doing just fine. Its not that women arent good enough or whatever, its that there are lsess women that race and less talent comes out of less numbers. As for race, I believe that racing doesnt appeal to many African American men. I believe it is starting to, but its just not there yet. Its not like NASAR is keeping women and African Americans or Asian or whatever race you are out, its that it doesnt appeal to them as much as it does white men. Formula 1 does appeal to many races, as it has drivers from all over the world. I think NASCAR isnt far behind at all, if anything, they are doing just fine. MY TWO CENTS

[skippy]

NASCAR has had quite a few women test out the ranks. They have not done well in the sport. Just like Indy. anica seems to be the exception to the rule. Wed'll see though if she makes the move.

As far as race goes, yes NASCAR was a biased sport back in the 50's and such, but then agian what sport wasn't. Baseball had it seperated leagues until when? Just like other sports NASCAR has transformed over time. But like beishuizen91 statecd above there isn't as much interest with in other ethnic groups. But you can ask Marc Davis about that, he drives in the truck series.

[scodellaro16]

i dont have a problem at all with women in nascar but alot of times they tend to get special treatment. look at danica, she is in no way ready for nascar she hasn't even made an impact(on the track) in irl yet.

[jeffgordon]

Mr. Daytona: I for one would like to see Danica and or Any female come to Nascar. They speak of their Diversity program, I maybe see it in the Team members and Nascar itself, but it sure isnt working when it comes to Drivers. Nascar needs some women in All of their series. If they want to even think they are diverse. And that doesnt even address the Lack of Race in Nascar.
Nascar is unlike other any other of the major sports, PGA /LPGA, USTA/ WUSTA, NBA /WNBA even bowling and Billiards, they All have a league designed for women. Women are looked at as equals in nascar and if they want to compete they will have to do so against the Guys. Is that the reason there isnt any in the Sport ? I'm not sure, I just know that I would like to see some woman give Nascar a try.
And when it comes to people of Color/Race, Man is Nascar behind. I can recall just 1 colored driver in the past decade "Bill Lester" and he never even made it to cup. NBA has to be the leader when it comes diversity of Race/Color and Ethnicity. Baseball too, Soccer for sure. Wake up Nascar.
Why is Nascar so far behid ?


I agree with you that there should be women in nascar. Do you think Nascar could felid an all women league? Would they have enough women drivers to run a race? Would there be enough fans to attend the races to support them? To expand on beishuizen91 statement about “there isn't as much interest with in other ethnic groups.” I think money might be an issue. Nascar is like one of the most expensive sports to do. Some of these ethnic groups don’t have the funds to even start let alone try out racing. How would they know if they like racing or if they are any good at it?

[skippy]

I agree with you that there should be women in nascar. Do you think Nascar could felid an all women league? Would they have enough women drivers to run a race? Would there be enough fans to attend the races to support them? To expand on beishuizen91 statement about “there isn't as much interest with in other ethnic groups.” I think money might be an issue. Nascar is like one of the most expensive sports to do. Some of these ethnic groups don’t have the funds to even start let alone try out racing. How would they know if they like racing or if they are any good at it?

Money isn't even an issue. There are several teams owned by African Americans.

Randy Moss and Brad Daughtery to name a few.

[14smoke2x]

The way I see it, anyone is more then welcome to become a part of nascar. Whether it be in the stands, on the pit box or in the garage everyone is welcome. Let them earn it though, I hate giving out the free pass in anything just because your a minority,woman, etc.

I don't see an NBA program in an initative to try to reach out to young white American males interested in the sport, as it is only 10 percent white, and the rest Euros or African Americans.

I may take some heat for this but if you think about it why would I when I want everything to be equal, this isn't 1950 anymore, luckily.

[GriffeyJr.FAN3]

i like my nascar just how it is. no danica patrick

[jeffgordon]

skippy
Money isn't even an issue. There are several teams owned by African Americans.
Randy Moss and Brad Daughtery to name a few.

In my post I stated SOME of these ethnic groups don’t have the funds to even start let alone try out racing. How would they know if they like racing or if they are any good at it?
I never said ALL ethnic groups, I know there are some aceptions. People that have money can buy anything they want to. Question? Does Randy Moss and Brad Daughtery have a backround in racing/cars?

If you look at all the cities around the world you would find a lot of poor people that are living in poverty. Just enough money to scrape by without all the extras. SOME of these people have no jobs and are collecting unemployment, and are on welfare. How are these people going to pay the expenses of racing?

Nascar is one of the most expensive sports there is. Look at basketball, all you need is a basketball, shoes, and a hoop. Not to expensive and most people can afford this sport. Soccer is another cheap sport.

To be a nascar driver/work in nascar you need knowledge/skill. To get knowledge you would need some kind of training/education/schooling. To get your education you usually need money to pay for it. Driving schools are expensive. To have a skill you need practice. You will also need equipment like tools, safety equipment, car, ect. You would also need seat time, time in the car practicing. Where would the ethnic groups practice, what tracks? Don’t you have to rent out the track to practice?

[race crazy]

Heres my take on this-a lot of good points so far.

First off-yes Nascar isnt like a lot of sports-racing isn't cheap and a lot of drivers who are very talented-never make it-due to funding issues-its just the way it is. That automatically makes it hard for anyone.

And yes the appeal factor is also a big deal-there arent a lot of women drivers-not nearly as many as men drivers-and im willing to guess there are more white male drivers than black male drivers-just for the sheer fact that the sport isnt as appealing to them (at least not yet-i think its going in the right direction with people like Randy Moss and Brad D owning teams successfully).

I think if the talent was there-someone would get a shot if they had the funding-theres a lot of talented female drivers out there competing right now in various stock car and Nascar events that could get shots if the funding is right

a few that come to mind for me:

Chrissie Wallace
Ally Owens
Caitlin Shaw

all have shown potential-so we will see where that goes.

As for the Danica issue-people say Danica gets this preferential treatment because shes pretty and a female driver. Well actually shes getting preferential treatment now because shes turned into a great driver-not just good. Ive watched IRL since before she entered and all the way after-and shes very good-especially at Indy. Shes got work to do on road courses but on ovals theres only about 4 people better than her-and thatd be whoever is driving the Penske and Ganassi cars lol. Shes got great car control and is smooth on the gas in an Indy car-how that will translate in Nascar idk-but I think she deserves a shot for being a good driver just as much as she deserves a shot for being a brand/sex symbol/money maker for some sponsor and team in Nascar.

It is going to take a while overall to get over the way things are-and they might never change-like a previous poster said-no one really complains about the NBA being only 10% whites. Its the way the sport appeals to youth and how the talent flows. Its just the way it works. I hope Nascar gives a fair shot to everyone along with the carowners-and maybe we will have a more diverse group of drivers-Id be all for it.