NASCAR's Drive for Diversity
Ben M
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After an off season full of changes ranging from a change in television networks to the introduction of Toyota, it is apparent that NASCAR has clearly been a busy little bee. Unfortunately, proba 
bly the least publicized, yet most important addition to the NASCAR family is the hiring of Formula One star Juan Pablo Montoya.
Diversity in NASCAR is something that's been needed for a long time. Little does the public know that NASCAR has been working on this issue for over three years now and it's just now becoming prominent in the public eye. The sport has lived on its Southern, all white demographic for far too long now and it's time to incorporate other cultures in the sport. Also, there would be huge financial benefits for NASCAR if they brought in a much larger demographic. What most people don't know is that a program called "Drive for Diversity" was developed in late 2003 by a multicultural marketing firm from Charlotte, North Carolina. While NASCAR has no financial interest in the program, one of their primary interests is increasing diversity in the sport. This program is intended to diversify the driver and pit crew member positions throughout the entire racing league.
Each year, resumes are submitted from qualified drivers and pit crew members through various referral programs and academic institutions. Once the resumes are received, a panel of motorsports experts review them and participants are chosen based on their talent and accomplishments, not their culture.
This year, NASCAR has welcomed Juan Pablo Montoya to the Ganassi Race Team. Montoya came over from the Formula One series with an established reputation and strong fan base. He is not incorporate in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, but this addition is a clear indication that CEO Brian France is opening new doors. This is a major win for NASCAR's diversity campaign. To lure someone like Montoya away from Formula One is impressive enough. This development is important because he already has an established group of fans and he will bring those over from the Formula One series. Diversity is now out and on the table for NASCAR.
Diversity in NASCAR is something that's been needed for a long time. Little does the public know that NASCAR has been working on this issue for over three years now and it's just now becoming prominent in the public eye. The sport has lived on its Southern, all white demographic for far too long now and it's time to incorporate other cultures in the sport. Also, there would be huge financial benefits for NASCAR if they brought in a much larger demographic. What most people don't know is that a program called "Drive for Diversity" was developed in late 2003 by a multicultural marketing firm from Charlotte, North Carolina. While NASCAR has no financial interest in the program, one of their primary interests is increasing diversity in the sport. This program is intended to diversify the driver and pit crew member positions throughout the entire racing league.
Each year, resumes are submitted from qualified drivers and pit crew members through various referral programs and academic institutions. Once the resumes are received, a panel of motorsports experts review them and participants are chosen based on their talent and accomplishments, not their culture.
This year, NASCAR has welcomed Juan Pablo Montoya to the Ganassi Race Team. Montoya came over from the Formula One series with an established reputation and strong fan base. He is not incorporate in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, but this addition is a clear indication that CEO Brian France is opening new doors. This is a major win for NASCAR's diversity campaign. To lure someone like Montoya away from Formula One is impressive enough. This development is important because he already has an established group of fans and he will bring those over from the Formula One series. Diversity is now out and on the table for NASCAR.
- NASCAR has made recent efforts at diversifying the sport.
- The Drive for Diversity program accepts resumes from qualified prospective drivers and pit crew memb
- Juan Pablo Montoya joined NASCAR in 2007 after coming over from the Formula One racing series.