I have never been a really popular guy and I don’t mean to start now. I’m a controversial character. I speak my mind and I enjoy doing that. I was actually a very popular guy in high school in a surprising twist, but not amongst the politically correct bunch of the school. This article goes right into the deep controversial matter which is the NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program.
NASCAR is too politically correct. I say that with a completely straight face and I ain’t budging anytime soon. I honestly take offense to the message of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity Program. What this program does is basically “help” minorities and women advance through the rankings. In other words, you won’t do any better without our help (or it appears that way). To reference one driver, Darrell Wallace Jr. I am sure that Wallace Jr. is a great guy, but he has to realize that NASCAR is only trying to advance him through the ranks to create a better public image for the sport. With that said, NASCAR does not need a diversity program.
What NASCAR’s needs is the best drivers to move up to the higher rankings. It doesn’t matter what race he or she is. If you want a promotion, you’ll have to prove that you have adequate skills to be considered for the promotion. I could care less about race. If I had a Native American driver that was doing well enough to be promoted to the next series, I would sure as hell would. If he is racing terribly, then I’m not moving him up just because he is a minority. That is not how it works. If the economy were to improve and Juan Montoya were to start winning some races (a season similar to 2009), I am sure he would be offered a better ride than he currently has at Earnhardt-Ganassi Racing. Am I right?
Did Floyd Mayweather Jr. become the pound-for-pound boxing king of the world because the World Boxing Council helped him move up through the ranks because he is a minority? Absolutely not. Floyd Mayweather worked his butt off and beat the best fighters in the world. Manny Pacquiao did as well for the exact same reason. Hard work. Why do you think we have such an unequal distribution of wealth in this country. 35.8% of people in our country right now pay taxes. We have huge unemployment, and we have a lot of people on welfare. Minorities should be treated just like any other person. No free money in my country. You work for that money. Our economy is going to hell for this concept. The same can be said about the start and park teams in NASCAR. No free money. Attempt to race the entire race, or you get nothing. That is unfair to all the teams that have worked tremendously hard to make it in the sport. If you can’t do that, then just don’t show up. It’s that simple.
People might ask, well why don’t a lot of minorities compete in NASCAR? They just don’t. That’s the reality. There are more African-American NBA players than there are Caucasians. So, where is the Drive for Diversity Program for the NBA? Where is the Drive for Diversity Program for the NFL? There are none. A majority of Hispanic athletes are more inclined to play soccer. I grew up watching NASCAR, so I like NASCAR. But guess what? I’m Cambodian! The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program doesn’t incline to me to race in NASCAR. Because like any honest guy, I want someone to recognize me for my talents, not for the color of my skin. I’m a brown guy. Who cares? Just like the Hispanic athlete used in the example, he or she probably grew up around soccer, and would more than likely play soccer than drive a race car.
I commend Kyle Busch an incredible amount for taking the young Wallace Jr. into his hands this season in the Camping World Truck Series. I wish Wallace Jr. the best and would love to see him race in the Sprint Cup Series someday if and when he is ready. But he shouldn’t be moved up until then. I’m optimistic to see how he does.
Duh, you are so wrong for someone trying to break into NASCAR media and you think Darrell Wallace, Jr. is just getting a free ride because of D4D. If what your saying is true. Where’s Marc Davis? Paul Harraka?
Better yet were is Chase Austin? Austin who’s African American wasn’t in the D4D program, he was with both Hendrick and Rusty Wallace as a development driver. Austin’s just as talented as Wallace, Jr., but team closures, lack of funds, plus in today’s NASCAR’s drivers bring the sponsorship or your not racing. So that kills your theory, since NASCAR had a chance prior to D4D, to just pass through an African-American driver, but they didn’t and Austin’s now in the Indy Series.
The fact you are missing about Darrell Wallace, Jr., he probably is the most talented driver that’s come up through D4D. The program gave him the opportunity to race, but his talent got him a ride with KBM, with backing from JGR and no one is just giving him a free ride.
I agree with the writer. This D4D program is strictly PR for Nascar. If these guys were talented, they will be found. But its not about talent anymore anyway. If you bring money to the table, you are pretty much assured a ride regardless of talent level.
The NFL has The Rooney Rule which says each head coaching opening must have at least 1 minority interviewed.
I never said there was anything wrong with interviewing a minority. I don’t think you see the point of this article. For example, if Montoya were to win races and stop crashing, he would start being interviewed more, yes?
If he didn’t speed down the pits at Indy, he could have potentially have won that race, yes?
Have to disagree with you Ryan. D4D doesn’t move drivers up to NASCAR based on skin color or bra size. All it does is give them an opportunity. The cream will always rise to the top. Just like in all forms of racing, drivers will get chances with better teams because they can bring sponsorship dollars way more often then because they are from the D4D program. Your NBA and NFL diversity comments are laughable. The NBA is 76% black, the NFL is 67% black. High numbers, but not the 99.9% of white NASCAR drivers. Have you ever heard of the Rooney rule in the NFL? Again, the best man wins but what’s wrong with interviewing a minority?
The Drive for Diversity program is not to promote drivers above other drivers, it is a way to get sponsors around drivers they might not typically seek out.
I am glad most people of your generation aren’t like this anymore.
Thank you, Thank you, I see this in everything on tv, the media, ads everywhere, It’s a real joke to see how america has lowered its self to please a few.
I have been a fan of Nascar racing since the 60’s building and collecting model stock cars, watching it any chance I get on the Wild world of sports, buying magazines,etc. Later when i got older getting my son involved in watching Stock cars, Jeff Gordon as his driver Dale Sr. as mine, taking my son to our first Stock Car race together and be called some of the most vile names in public likened to the segregation era in front of my child by fans in the stands, Don’t tell me they don’t need a Diversity program to move the sport from the “Redneck” “Confederate flag waving” image. This is not about Darrel Wallace Jr. who has payed his dues to earn the right just as any other rookie driver. I don’t think the Gibbs organization just pushed him through because he is a black kid in a program, or a “great guy” as you claim but a black kid with the ability and talent to drive a Stock Car as seen by Kyle Busch and others in the Sport. Thanks Kyle even though you drive a Toyota, we are now a fan of yours. From another minority great guy and his son from the Virgin Islands
Wow… this kid sets it straight. Promote this guy.