This past weekend in Martinsville, NASCAR was the
target of a smear by NBC Dateline. Dateline had hidden cameras
in place as they injected Muslim looking men into the crowds at
the race track to view fan reactions. They left away with
nothing as no one bothered them.
NASCAR has worked extremely hard to promote racial diversity
and growth within our sport. The Drive for Diversity program for
instance has been pivotal to help minorities enter the sport in
various roles. We have seen this progression of minority
interest in the sport by increased fan support and opportunities
within NASCAR.
NBC does itself and NASCAR a great disservice by the
stereotype it has cast NASCAR to be. Long gone are the days of
NASCAR being a southern, white, male sport and the stereotypes
those demographics sadly bring. Unfortunately by NBC looking to
one of its broadcast "partners" to create unrest, they further
show they don't nor will they ever "get" NASCAR as a sport or a
culture phenomenon.
NASCAR fans are a passionate bunch. Our legions cover all
age, race, wealth, and geographic divides. We gather each week
not as man or woman, black or white, or even Christian or
Muslim, we gather as race fans. NBC needs to look no further
than itself to realize whom stirs racial unrest in this country.
Peddle it elsewhere NBC or perhaps try to report news rather
than create it at the expense of NASCAR.
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