Why is NASCAR pushing so hard for integration?

Question

Ive read all the articles online, and jayski says NASCAR has to change for the better by being a more diverse sport. I thought NASCAR until this past year, was @ the top of NASCAR Mountain? The highest in popularity it had been! So why the big push for more diversity? The fans aren't demanding it are they? And NASCAR is the highest its been so money isnt the issue i suppose right? So what is.. Is it just politically wrong for the sport to be predominantly white?

Not a racist, Just wondering what fans thought about this issue.. Are you mad @ NASCAR for not being more diverse? and is it really NASCARs fault?

Answer 1

Nascar is very popular and lucrative sport. You are very right. However, perception is reality. Many people still perceive it as a redneck sport. You and I know that it's not, and it's a strategic event which people of all backgrounds attend and watch. However, the perception may change with more diversity. I do feel that sports like Nascar and hockey aren't anti black/ hispanic exc. However, kids haven't taken to these sports at a young age. I don't know if it's resources, interest, or they identify with athletes in sports like basketball and football. It isn't Nascars fault at all. Nascar is a great symbol of American society.

ED's comments are right on!!!

Answer 2

it's just the times. it's 2008. Remember when the clock struck 2000 and people thought weird things were going to happen? It's been a long time since 1940. White people in America are becoming a minority anyway since this coutry is just made up of immigrants. There's no social stigmas in the 2000's unless peoples parents were antisocials. NASCAR has a lot of Love. It's one of the most beautiful forms of racing in it's innocence. NASCAR racing makes drag racing look evil. And look at the diversity of drag racing. Everyone should hop on the NASCAR bandwagon, it's fun and full of Love. America is so sexy. Come on in! The water's fine.

Answer 3

It may have to do with money, but not so much about earning potential. I would say more about potential lawsuits in our ever-increasing litigious society. Any dufus lawyer unfamiliar with the history of NASCAR may see an opportunity, while in reality that opportunity is non-existent.

NASCAR has never barred the door on any driver who shows up and wants to compete, based on race, sex or nationality.

The following is a short list of international drivers who competed before the Modern Era. I didn't list any woman although there were several who raced in the 50's and early 60's.

Claude Ballot-Lena Paris, France 6 races 1978-1979
Christine Beckers Brussels , Belgium 1 race 1977
Jimmy Clark Dunn, Scotland 1 race 1967
Raul Cilloniz Lima, Peru 1 race 1959
Eduardo Dibos Lima, Peru 3 races 1959
David Hobbs Upper Buddington, England 2 races 1976
L. Motschenbacher Cologne, Germany 1 race 1970
Pedro Rodriguez Mexico City 6 races 1959-1771
Fritz Schultz Adenau, Germany 1 race 1971
Wendell Scott Danville, VA 495 races 1961-1973
Rolf Stommelen Siegen, Germany 1 race 1971


All of them, save one, was given a shot by an owner. That one was given little and earned his own way; Mr. Scott, the first black man to win, and to date the only one to win, a race at the top level of NASCAR. I firmly believe that man given the opportunity could have been an F1 champion. After all, he did hone his skills eluding police on roads.

That's one more win than all the names on the list combined and some of them were F1 drivers, with one being a 2-time F1 champ. When he had to, he could race with the best of his era. More often than not he had to save his equipment for not only the end of the race, but the race after that, and the one after that and so on. The man competed at the top level on less than a shoestring. The record is good, but when viewed in true light, it was staggeringly great.

This white Southerner has no problem at all in saying; he was a hell of a man.




There were others who competed after 1979, but that was widely considered to be the beginning of the Modern Era.

I also did not include any American woman who competed, although the list consisted of many who competed in the 50's.

The fan base has always had diversity as well, never monolithically male, white or Southern, but nothing is wrong with wanting to expand it. The bigger the fan base, the better, as it will ensure NASCAR will be around to enjoy for many years to come.

Answer 4

Because Nascar sucks, If you were to compare figures from a real motorsport like WRC or DTM worldwide not just in USA
it would be totally outranked.

Right now Nascar is trying to spread its mediocrity to the rest of humanity other than the majority white , Beer drinking while watching motorsports community that has so defined the sport, and it has failed miserably, like for example they went for a tour in suzuka and had such a horrible turn out.

Answer 5

Another example of creating a problem that doesn't exist. If people want to watch, they'll watch. I've been to the tracks for races, and there is plenty of diversity there. When Bill Lester races, not every Black person is wearing his shirts and hats. Some wear Mark Martin,etc. because that is who they root for. Not every hispanic is just rooting Juan Pablo either. I am so tired of misinformed morons trying to shove this crap down our throats. I don't care who races, just stop telling me that I'm racist because there's more white drivers than black or asian or hispanic or Indian, etc. Articles like this,imo, just insult the fans!

Answer 6

No it is not Nascars fault!!! Many women such as Janet Guthrie- Shawna Robinson & Patty Moise just to name a few have raced. So have African Americans Such as Bill Lester & Wendell Scott & Willy T. Ribbs to name a few Minority Men. It is Not Nascars Fault that more African Americans or Women dont Pursue this Type of Sport--I drive a 2 different Tracks regularly and 2 women race out of approimately 60 different drivers and 0 African American Men race out of 60 different drivers in my Classes!!!! It is just the Fashionable thing or Politically correct thing nowadays to push for this!!! People-People The Civil War Ended 142 Years Ago!!! If someone wants to drive Then Drive for Goodness Sakes this is America. Anyone Can do What they Want TO!!!!!

Answer 7

It is all about the money. The more blacks, hispanics, women, they can get into the sport, the larger the pool of money they can tap into. That is why you see more pop singers performing at Nascar events instead of Country singers. Like that comercial when Dale Jr. swaps cars with some brothers from the hood; do you think there was a chance in h_ll that would happen? It is all about suckering in more minorities to spend their money so that the France's and team owners can get richer.

Answer 8

I don't think that they are pushing hard for it, more like a gentle, politically correct nudging. NASCAR would be under more scrutiny if they didn't support a diversity program.

Answer 9

As the baby boomers age all markets change. Marketing people know that the younger population is much more diverse. To be ahead of the curve (no pun intended) NASCAR is starting to market to a wider group of peoples.

It is interesting how a little well placed criticism and controversy over it being a white guy sport allowed the "natural" change to diversity marketing campaign.

If you need to change your image for income purposes you set up and get some free mass media attention that points out an imagined flaw, you quickly point how that the criticism isn't based in fact and do it with great emphasis on how it hurts you to hear that people could possibly think that of you, then you get a commentator to put in front of the cameras that is the antithesis of the criticism and “viola!” you don't have that flaw and if you did look how great you are for changing, everyone should rush to your side in congratulations! Wow, it is a great organization you have changed into, everyone wants to come to your party.

It is all marketing.

Answer 10

They feel it will make more $$$, but they are pushing loyal long time fans away for people that will loose interest in a couple of years. NASCAR is a dying sport.

Go Smoke!!!