Diversity in NASCAR?

Question

Why does NASCAR feel the need to have a minority or female driver? We fans saw how good of a driver Bill Lester was in a couple of races last year. The female driver in Indy dosnt do good, every INDY 500 all the announcers seem to spend a great deal of time talking about how great of a driver Danica is when in fact she has won as many races as i have, 0. Why cant NASCAR accept the fact that women dont make good drivers, and if they are so concious about ratings do they seriously think that soccer moms around the nation are going to start watching NASCAR just besouse some chick is in the back of the pack.

Thanks for letting me get that out of my system I got hacked off after going to NASCAR.com and seeing two articles on diversity
http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/12/13/mom.doctor.racer/index.html
http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/12/13/drive.diversity.struggles.strides/index.html

Answer 1

I am a woman answering this question. I believe that if a person is a great driver, then they will come up through the ranks just like all of those that are driving now, without any special treatment or D4D program. The drivers we watch every week now have been living and breathing racing since they were kids (most of them). I just don't see the need for special programs for someone newly interested in racing to be brought into the mix.

OK, now let me have your opinions.

Answer 2

Danica has finished in the top ten in points in her first two seasons, better than a lot of male drivers have done, and would have won a couple of races this year if it hadn't been for costly mistakes by the pit crew. She keeps getting better the more she learns, and will be a contender for the championship next year.
Erin Crocker won the ARCA Superspeedway Challenge Championship, something only one other driver, male or female has done, and that was Frank Kimmel, who won it the first four years they had it. Erin will get a second chance in NASCAR, and will do better than she did her first try, because she now has more stock car experience.
That is why "NASCAR won't accept the fact that women don't make good drivers."
The NHRA has had women championship caliber drivers, and the NASCAR diversity program believes that there is no reason there can't be one in stock cars as well.
There has been a lot of bad press concerning the lack of women and non-white male drivers in NASCAR, and NASCAR wants to get away from that.

Answer 3

When it comes to hiring women and minority drivers all NASCAR can do is to encourage it and support diversity programs since the team owners ultimately decide who drives their cars. If NASCAR didn’t encourage diversity they would be criticized and when they do they are criticized. Whether NASCAR’s motives are of a genuine desire to have a “diverse” driver in the field or just political correctness doesn’t really matter. The nature of the sport is that if you are not good enough your gone. There’s not going to be a “token” driver running around in 43rd position just because NASCAR wants them in the sport. The premise of the diversity program is to give women and minorities a chance that they wouldn‘t otherwise get, but whether they make it or not depends on their talent just like every other driver on the track.

Answer 4

it has nothing to do with politics or the people who call the shots. NASCAR has a diversity program that started a few years ago. they are trying to get more minorities and more women in the sport. like anything else it will take time before NASCAR has a wide sweeping representation in its drivers. moreover, NASCAR is looking to not only have a more diverse driver base, but crew base also. it will just take time!

Answer 5

Well I'm 15 i love racing and i'm planning on trying to achieve my goal of racing in a stock car whether it be NASCAR or ARCA series. I would love to be in a diversity program to show some of the team owners what I really got. With female drivers theres nothing wrong with having them in this series it's just we the fans have yet to see them be up front week in and week out.

Answer 6

Nascar is just following suit with the Fashionable thing to do. the Media Jumps on this subject and away you go. This is just like the NBA with the Female Referees--The MLB and the Female Umpire and so on. I think that if a Minority or female wants to Participate in a Sport such as Nascar--Go for it!!!!-- Janet Guthrie-Shawna Robinson-Patty Moise-Bill Lester-Willy T. Ribbs-Wendell Scott DID just to name a few!!!!

Answer 7

Sarah Fisher is a well respected driver by her peers. She is an accomplished midget and sprint car driver. It's not her fault she tried to get into IRL, she accepted an offer, the equipment was second tier. She can drive with all the big boys.

Answer 8

It should not make any difference what your race or gender is as long as you prove yourself. I think NASCAR has the diversity program because there are those out there who make accusations of prejudice without reason. Besides, there are plenty of "soccer moms" out there that are big NASCAR fans!

Go Jr.>>>>

Answer 9

good drivers will make it regardless of race or gender, it will happen no one can force it nor can they impede it, just watch long enough and it will happen

Answer 10

danica patrick is the besttt i have no clue what your talking about...execpt that one time were she lost and stomped aroound like a baby lol