Racing and race meet head-on in culture clash

Sun Sentinel ^ | 11 July 2003 | Sandra Pedicini

[stainlessbanner]

DAYTONA BEACH -- Even at speeds of almost 200 mph, NASCAR can't outrun racial controversy.

More than 100,000 fans packed Daytona International Speedway for the Pepsi 400 on Fourth of July weekend, and the overwhelming majority were white -- just like all of the drivers.

While trying to broaden its appeal to minorities, NASCAR has found itself in the middle of a political brawl and taking punches from both sides.

[88keys]

Football, for example, doesn't appeal to women over 40, and it never will.

Sez who? Go Browns!!!! ;)

First thought on this article: this is a joke, right?

Second thought: how can anyone take this seriesly?

Third thought: where do I start?!

Last thoughts: of course black drivers theoretically can qualify for NASCAR races, but apparently they need a sponsor like everyone else!!! Jesse, where are you and your "Rainbow Coalition" for this, hmmmm?! If it were really a "Rainbow", why aren't you "boycotting" the N.B.A. where there are "far too few white faces", hmmm? Some "rainbow hues" there, LOL!! I applaud the "black conservative groups" who are "boycotting Revvun Jackson" and speaking out about the "shake-down artist" he is...and although I myself am not a NASCAR afficionado, these "fans" are everywhere (including the "North Coast") and I find it most egregious to "characterize" them in any way other than "sports fans". After all, I'm no fan of soccer either, but I would never call those folks a bunch of "Euro-weenies"!!!

NASCAR should be ashamed of themselves for "donating" to Jesse...it was probably just a misunderstanding, as I'm sure what Jesse meant was, "NASCAR is racing"...

[CFC__VRWC]

Not a derogatory statement, IMO.

No it isn't. Actually I kind of like it - anything that makes liberals sneer and foam at the mouth in rage can't be all bad.

[gunnedah]

I like these preception ideas. Because in the Southern Redneck Cracker circles I hear them refering to people like Farrel as a "Lackey" and I think most of them have progressed to the point they dont even have the word nigger in their vocabulary any longer. So just who has progressed.
I wonder if both preceptions are correct or both are wrong.
Regardless of who is right or wrong my take is regardless of money and education you can not take out certain animalistic instincts that are bred into certain people.
Who knows maybe I even have some in me.

[mict42]

How about the " great unwashed masses" in the northeast. Check out the attendance at Dover,De., seventy miles from Philadelphia. Dover packs in 144,000 per race, two per year.Looks like the " great unwashed masses" in the northeast who pay the elitists salaries also sorta like NASCAR too. PS. I am a " professional" I am me first. I like what I like. I associate with people with whom I am comfortable and I challenge all of us to live life the same way and stop measuring every step in life as if it were being watched and scrutinized for class appropriateness.

[mhking]

Officials at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's Chicago headquarters did not respond to a request for comment. But Farrell dismissed the criticism, saying the coalition couldn't strong-arm NASCAR even if it wanted to.

"What are we going to boycott?" he said. "We're not going to the races in enough numbers now to boycott anything."

B.S. Alert! Farrell is as much a hypocrite as his "mentor" Gypsy Jackson is!

---

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[meowmeow]

Racecar drivers have to pay their crew and keep their car going - even with sponsorship. Doesn't leave a lot of extra cash for gold stud butt piercings, mansions, and limos filled with bimbos.

[CFC__VRWC]

How about the " great unwashed masses" in the northeast.

.I'm not even all that much of a NASCAR fan myself, but by God I believe that anyone should be able to enjoy whatever legal activity they want to without having to put up with bunch of crap from sneering elitists anywhere in the world who think THEY are the only ones that matter. I think it's great that NASCAR has lots of fans in the northeast, and I'm sorry if I gave the impression that I was singling out the northeast. It's just as a southerner, I bristle when I see "Southern" prominently featured in any liberal media story. Because when they use it, they're pointing out something that to them is especially worthy of everyone's hatred and contempt.

[Rhetorical pi2]

This article gives me the opportunity to voice some concerns I have regarding race and sports.

For example, I am concerned that we don't have enough Black Polo players. If we don't take steps promptly to correct this situation, we may experience a Black boycott of Polo matches, with a resulting loss in revenue.

Another area that saddens and concerns me is Black participation in Yacht Racing. Perhaps with some large contributions to Jessie Jackson, he can help us develop more Black, America's Cup racers.

And there are other areas in sports with racial imbalances of which we should be more aware. For example, take the NBA...uh.....never mind!! :o)

[Steve0113]

Football, for example, doesn't appeal to women over 40, and it never will.

My wife would disagree. I've noticed that lots of Freeper women, of all ages, like football.

[Sender]

How exactly is NASCAR involved in a "political brawl" just because of an apparent shortage of black drivers and fans? Must every facet of American life now have a forced diversity program? This is ridiculous. Someone should shake down the next rap music festival if the crowd is not diverse enough. I wonder about the board of Jesse's Rainbow PUSH foundation...would we find a scarcity of whites there?

[ravingnutter]

More than 100,000 fans packed Daytona International Speedway for the Pepsi 400 on Fourth of July weekend, and the overwhelming majority were white -- just like all of the drivers.

So minorities did not attend...so what? Is there a quota or something? Should NASCAR start bussing them in? This whole argument is really lame especially considering NASCAR has had a diversity internship program in place since 2000. More info at the link...

NASCAR Diversity Internship Program

NASCAR needs to tell JJ to STFU!

[ravingnutter]

Must every facet of American life now have a forced diversity program?

NASCAR has a voluntary diversity program...see post 31 for the link.

[88keys]

...stop measuring every step in life as if it were being watched and scrutinized for class appropriateness.

You are so right...the problem is, Jesse won't stop with this "scrutinizing", but it seems despite his "cadre" of supporters, more and more folks are taking the same reasonable, thoughtful and sensible attitude that you recommend. As Sam notes:

to my knowledge, blacks are not excluded, it's a non issue.

It should be a non-issue, and while Jesse's welcome to rant on about "racing" in the South, his credibility as a "black leader" continues to decline with every convoluted "accusation" he makes...

What I'd really like to know, "where does all the Rainbow/Push $$$ go", hmmmm?!?

[mict42]

God bless ya. Some of the best people in this country are southerners. I was basically commenting on the fact that the press stereotypes NASCAR as a backwooks, dirt under the nails activity. This couldn't be farther from the truth.Racing gets into the blood of all races and creeds. Nascar is becoming a universally accepted sport. Just look at the ratings for sporting events on TV.

[dfwgator]

Football, for example, doesn't appeal to women over 40, and it never will.

Obviously they've never been to a Humperdinks during a Cowboys game.

[88keys]

I am concerned and saddened that I'm ROFLMAO at your post on such a series topic! :0

[Mr. Jeeves]

Another area that saddens and concerns me is Black participation in Yacht Racing.

Jesse should be focusing his attention on Black participation in graduating from High School. Not glamourous or lucrative, but it just might have a real impact.

[.45MAN]

Do we need affirmative action in NASCAR..?

[stainlessbanner]

Fans along the back stretch at the Daytona International Speedway unfurl a giant United States flag as recording artist Sara Evans sings the national anthem before the start of the NASCAR Pepsi 400, Saturday, July 5, 2003, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP photo)

[judgeandjury]

The reality, I think, is that black culture just isn't into tinkering with cars and racing them around on local tracks.

The same thing applies to ice hockey. Black kids tend to not be interested in playing it and that's why there are only a few black players in the National Hockey League.