Racism hidden away in NASCAR?

Question

Now, I know that people before have asked this question. It's a good question, and I am going to ask it to see what people have to say. Before anyone gets on my case, I am a diehard NASCAR fan. I love the sport! However, it does trouble me that lack of diversity seems to be an issue in the NASCAR world. I'm not talk about the drivers or the officials...I'm talking about the FANS. What do you, as a NASCAR fan, think about black or brown people attending a NASCAR race...or even someday being a driver? Does it worry you? Bother you? Why? I'm not asking this question only to Southern people...I'm asking everybody. It seems like maybe many fans are racists. Some even think that NASCAR is the last "racially clean" sport! What do you think of all that?
Please be reminded that I am not looking for trouble. This question is valid, and I simply want points of view from fellow NASCAR fans. Don't answer if you don't understand what I'm talking about or want to pick a fight.

Jessica has given me a bland, somewhat negative answer

John K and Inkyblack have given good answers

I already said I'm NOT TALKING ABOUT DIVERSITY AMONG DRIVERS!!!!!! Akkk! I am talking about FANS!!!!!!

Answer 1

Anyone who buys a ticket can attend a NASCAR race. People that are interested will usually find a way to buy the tickets. NASCAR does have a few black drivers and participants, but far less than desirable and they are working hard to increase diversity. To be honest, until a black driver gets to the level of Jr, Kenseth, JJ, or Gordon, there won't be a huge following. All you have to do is to see what the Williams sisters did for tennis or Tiger did for golf, to see the future of NASCAR if a black driver gets to the top of the sport.

Please understand that no matter what the beginnings of NASCAR are, the current state of the business is that sponsors drive NASCAR. As far as I know, there are no sponsor who would touch a racist entity with a ten foot pole.

Answer 2

I am a 23 year old African-American woman, who is in college and I am a diehard Nascar fan, my mother is also a Nascar fan. I'm from Florida which is in the south so I'm a Southerner. IMO, the people who believe that Nascar is not a diverse sport are the ones starting the problems. Nascar fans come from all races, sexes, states, countries, ages, backgrounds, etc.

I am a member of a number of Nascar message boards and when I introduced myself to the other members I told them that I was African-American and you know what they told me...THAT THEY COULD CARE LESS WHAT RACE I WAS BECAUSE ALL THAT MATTERED IS THAT I WAS A FAN! They could give a rats azz as to what race I am because my race does not matter.

There are lots of Nascar fans who are not white...it's just that they don't attend the races as much as the "white" fans do. The tickets to the races aren't cheap ya know. For those other races who do not watch Nascar, it has nothing to do with there not being diversity in the sport it's just that they have not been shown the sport...PLUS...many do not believe that Nascar is a sport. You cannot make someone like something that they do not want to like! As for those who do not like Nascar, that is their choice.

To the person who even asked this question...you say that your a Nascar fan, then you should know that Wendell Scott who is African-American won the Daytona 500 back when Nascar was first starting. Also, There is also Bill Lester who is a black driver in Nascar's truck series. There is also Juan Pablo Montoya who is going to be in the Cup series next season who is Hispanic!! Yes, Nascar's roots are in the south but Nascar cannot go back and change where it began.

There are Nascar fans from all races, it's just that they don't get as much attention as other Nascar fans do but you better believe that we are there cheering on our drivers!! I have yet to attend a race but when I do I'm gonna be standing right in the stands with my fellow Dale Jr fans cheering on our boy. Hell...I'm a member of the Earnhardt Nation and I'm damn sure proud of it too!

To the person who started this question: if you feel that this is such a huge problem...then maybe you should join Nascar's Diversity Program!

I could give a rats azz what race a fan nor a driver is...as long as they are paying respect to the sport, why should their skin color matter. If a fan is neon yellow, blue, pink, red, purple, silver, maroon...WHY DOES THEIR SKIN COLOR EVEN MATTER?

Your skin color does not define who you are as a person.

Answer 3

Racism WAS part of the sport in it's early inception. Not anymore. One answer to part of your question is MOST black people don't like to go fast. That's why most of them buy cadillacs and lincolns. I don't care if they go to the race or not. The more the merrier. I am a big Bill Lester fan and wish he would do better. I think Montoya will break the ice for Latinos. The rest haven't done much in the sport. Look at basketball. How many white guys play and football isn't much better. I think we need a diversity program for whites in both sports, lol. Let Jessie Jaskson think on that for a while. This diversity crap was only started by him and NASCAR bowed down to him because they didn't want bad publicty. Shame on them !!! It's a great sport and that's why it's #2 now second to only football. I think no matter who or what you are if you can get out there and run then go for it !!!

Answer 4

The lack of racial diversity in the fans of nascar racing is not a matter of racism but more a matter of disinterest on the part of those minorities. I have no problem with anyone of any ethnicity attending any type of event. As far as Nascar being the "last racially clean sport" I have never heard anyone saying anything remotely like that. My personal opinion of whether people of other races should be allowed to be drivers is if they can keep up let them.

On the other hand I also feel that if they dont choose to attend these events or even participate in them I dont see that as a matter of racism on the part of the ones that do attend and participate. I see it more as a racism on the part of the ones who dont.

I also think ZZ needs to get his facts straight on where the majority of minorities live. Because he is wayyyyyyyy off base. He has obviously never been to Texas, Lousisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, or New Mexico.

Answer 5

I love NASCAR and have been to a few races. Even though I'm a white female, I fall into the minority category because I'm gay. When my gf and I go to races, we are very aware that any displays of affection would not be a good idea. It's a bit uncomfortable at times. I think "intolerant" would be a better word to describe the majority of fans. We go to races because we enjoy them, so we're willing to put up with it. Imagine if you were a minority and didn't care for racing. Why would you want to go to a stadium full of mostly intolerant people that have probably been DRINKING??? If fans were more tolerant of differences in other people, the sport would have a better chance at diversity.

Answer 6

First and foremost there is racism everywhere. Right up to and including the NAACP.
Second NASCAR isn't racist, there are fans who are, and I'm sure there are drivers who are, But the same can be said about the NBA,NFL,NHL,MLB, heck there are racist people in all walks of life.
NASCAR may not be as diverse as most people would want, but its being worked on.
Last but not least as far as minority fans, I pay good money to go to a race, trust me when I say , I aint watching other fans.

Answer 7

I'm black and I like NASCAR. I think there aren't a lot of minorities in NASCAR because there might not be alot of exposure. Its not like there a race in NYC or any where that has minorities. Look at the schedule...most of the races are in the southeast area. Where do most NOT ALL MOST minorities live. In the north in urban areas. I think that somewhere in some ghetto or NYC or LA or something there are people in the minority who like the sport. But because of circumstances(Financial, family ties, etc) they cant attend races or even become a part of racing. There is clearly no 1 definite reason but a flurry of reasons, some of which will be harder to solve than other.

Answer 8

I'm a NASCAR fan and It doesn't bother me a single bit. Maybe they don't see the point in driving 500 laps at 200 mph making left hand turns all afternoon, plus there are crashes in the sport. Maybe they are a tad smarter for not driving, don't ya think? If they are no black drivers in the sport, you won't find many fans in the stands.

Answer 9

I don't think it's racist. I am a huge NASCAR fan. I am from the south, so I guess that makes me a redneck. I am a medical professional w/a college degree. I think too many people are too concerned about making sure blacks or other races "get to participate"...No one makes a big deal over the fact that most other sports (for instance college/pro football, baseball, etc) are dominated by blacks. I just get so tired of every group, club, sport, etc. having to or choosing to let in or make it easier for another race to join. If you have the money, the sponsors, etc. then go for it. If not, stop expecting everyone to take pity on you because you don't get to play!!!! And yes, I have black friends and they are aware of my view.....

Answer 10

The tracks and speedways are open to the public.If anyone wants to come to the races they can buy aticket. The diversity at Talladega this year within say 50 feet of where I was sitting were about 10 to 15 blacks,around 6 or so asian,a couple from Germany,about 8 or 10 Latinos.So there are otheres that are at the races.As for me I'm Native American.