NASCAR diversity program on BET doesn't shy from sport's past

The drivers for NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program were introduced Tuesday night, but those in attendance also saw a clip for the reality show on the diversity program that will air on BET later this year.

 

The BET show "Changing Lanes'' will follow the progress of the diversity drivers and Max Siegel, who oversees the race teams the drivers will race for this year. (The 8 hour-long episode show is scheduled to debut this summer but that could be moved up to April or May).

 

Early in the clip that was shown, the subject of NASCAR's past with minorities was discussed and how Wendell Scott remains the only African-American driver to have won a Cup race and that was back in 1963. The clip also mentioned how Scott was not allowed in the winner's circle in the race he won. The clip then features a comment from Scott's daughter, who says: "Racial barriers were a sign of the times. There were people who did not accept him. I feared for my dad's life, but, the man was an inspiration and he still inspires today.''

 

Asked why was it important to address NASCAR's past in a show that will be aired on BET, this is what Max Siegel and Scott Mills, President of BET said:

 

Siegel, who is African-American, said: "I've said every time that I'm asked probably the most welcoming surprise for me was the way my family and I have been embraced by the sport. I think that what you find in the NASCAR community is that everybody is passionate about their product and about their sport. You find out pretty quickly it's about whether they like you or not and whether you care about the health of the sport. We've been treated with open arms and a tremendous amount of respect. What I have found is that the barrier of entry to new fans is the historical perception that the sport has had. I wanted to get a partner to do everything I could to dispel that view of the sport right now and really highlight the commitment of the senior managers in the NASCAR community to diversity. We want to find teaching moments where we realistically deal with issues that we face, and I don't think that any we face in NASCAR are unique to the industry. You find them in IBM and General Motors. Quite frankly, this is a way to address those issues and educate people who don't know a lot about the sport, and hopefully, entice them to become fans and participants.''

 

Said Mills, who also is African-American: "In partnering with BET to make this program that it really evidences how serious NASCAR is about this undertaking. For a program to be on BET it really has to be credible and authentic with our audience. If you wanted to tell a story that wasn't going to accurately reflect the accuracy and concerns, you might have been able to use some other platform. But in our platform, our audience understands the history, so you have to acknowledge it before you can actually show them moving forward.''

 

NASCAR Chairman BrianFrance spoke earlier in the evening about the diversity program's importance. While some might criticize how France speaks in public, he was smooth in talking to this audience without use of a TelePrompter or any notes, a sign of what this issue means to him and something that has been important to him for years in getting this effort started.

 

Said France: "In 2004, one of the first things that I wanted to do was set us on a course as a sport that put a priority on diversity. Frankly, that's our future. That's where our future fans are going to come from. That's where, obviously, our future drivers, crew members... There are all kind of things that our diversity plan can accomplish. Notably, like I said, tracking talent in all forms of our industry. ... Know that NASCAR is committed to everything that we can as an industry for all the right reasons. We're never satisfied because we've got a long way to go. We're going to get some talented men and women ... to compete in NASCAR. They're going to set new standards. Shows like this, projects like this that bring it to life and showcase it to a bigger audience will help us track more of these drivers and participants in NASCAR.''

 

Here's the 2010 Drive for Diversity Class

 

# Mackena Bell of Carson City, Nev. She's 19 and will compete in the K&N Pro Series East.

# Jessica Brunelli of Hayward, Calif. She's 17 and will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

# Michael Cherry of Valrico, Fla. He's 20 and will compete NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

# Ryan Gifford of Winchester, Tenn. He's 20 and a Richard Childress Racing development driver. He will compete K&N Pro Series East.

#Katie Hagar of Damariscotta, Maine. She's 23 and will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

#Paul Harrake of Wayne, N.J. He's 20 and a sophomore at Duke University. He will race in the K&N Pro Series West.

#Rebecca Kasten of Mequon, Wis. She's 19 and will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

#Sergio Pena of Winchester, Va. He turns 17 on Feb. 13. He will compete in the K&N Pro Series East.

#Megan Reitenour of Miamisburg, Ohio. She's 18 and will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

#Jason Romero of Cameron Park, Calif. He turns 26 on Feb. 25. He will compete in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

#Darrell Wallace, Jr. of Mobile, Ala. He's 16 and a Joe Gibbs Racing development driver. He will race in the K&N Pro Series East.

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