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NASCAR needs in-roads to cities
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by Bassey Etim
Friday, March 9, 2007
I'm not asking anyone to care about NASCAR — to most of us it's a bunch of yokels making left turns for hundreds of miles while thousands of hillbillies get drunk on cheap beer and smoke free cigarettes. But if the stagnating sport can devise ways to find more unique stars, the rest of us just might start paying attention.
NASCAR is about to smash into a glass ceiling for popularity, and executives must know that it faces an impending crisis. (This was made painfully obvious by the "Muhammad Ali" car gimmick a few years back.) Sure, it has started to expand its base beyond the Confederate states — and the other half of the schedule for its premier "Nextel Cup" series has been picked up by ESPN after NBC's miserable on-track team finally bailed out.
But no matter how you slice it, the sport can't grow much longer without any notable minority stars. This deficiency alone makes the sport seem racist to black and Hispanic folks around the country, and the Confederate flags in too many infields don't help their cause much either. A sign of Southern heritage? Get over it. It was a battle flag for a war in which one of the catalysts was the preservation of slavery. If these people want to display a Confederate flag, they might as well wear this sign: I am an ignorant hick. Because that's all most people see. Banning the Confederate flag from every track would be a welcome gesture for the sake of diversity.
So why hasn't NASCAR been able to attract many minority drivers? Primarily, it's the culture and logistics of the sport. This isn't like basketball when any kid with a milk crate and a ball swiped from the school playground can practice enough to learn the basics. Plus, experts don't recommend racing tiny cars around in the middle of the street. Further, it doesn't have an extensive network of training grounds — like Little League Baseball — that is embraced by parents from all walks of life.
Racing takes a unique culture. Good drivers have to start young, in go-carts and on dirt tracks. Most have a parent or relative pushing hard — making repairs late into the night and studying turn progressions. The minority populations that live in inner cities just don't have regular access to these facilities. In addition, to get the resources to race competitively over a long period of time, you've just got to know somebody. And in a sport dominated by drivers and gatekeepers from rural white America, the odds are slim that even a highly talented black driver would work his way to the top. The talent pool is just that shallow.
Even if a superstar minority driver did work his way to the top and gained some media attention, it would still take another generation of homogeneity for those inspired by this breakthrough driver to work through the amateur ranks (See: Tiger Woods' inner-city golf camps).
So what can NASCAR do to increase its market share and gain some much needed anti-fad insurance? How do you get kids in poor inner-city neighborhoods onto the track often enough to seriously compete?
A sort of Marshall Plan for NASCAR seems to be the only option. Executives need to set up a network of Little League-like organizations to recruit at schools and use their influence to force local racetracks to host these events. To expand this pilot program, NASCAR should set up state racing championships like high school basketball, so kids can represent their neighborhoods or towns on a bigger stage — with more than personal pride on the line. Plus, parents prefer to sign kids up for team sports, where they can build social networking skills. There is no reason NASCAR can't be perceived as a team game on a local level.
Of course, parents who are unfamiliar with the sport will be worried about the inherent danger of whipping around a track at high speeds. So to get wary parents on board, NASCAR must frame their new racing leagues as a way to give impressionable young people something cool to do after school. Even kids who are less athletically inclined will have a chance to get the rush of competition and will have less exposure to the temptations of inner-city life. There will be no shortage of kids who want to race each other in carts after school everyday, and this enthusiasm will make the talented drivers evident very quickly.
Because such a league would cost too much for schools to run, it must be run tightly by NASCAR itself. They should even go as far as securing local sponsors for these kids themselves, to keep the young talent from becoming discouraged by the cutthroat business climate of the racing world. If NASCAR brass makes this sizable investment, they will reap the rewards of a sport with endless opportunities for growth, as becoming a Nextel Cup driver will be an attainable dream for Americans who haven't grown up near the track.
Bassey Etim (betim@badgerherald.com) is pissed off that he had to play basketball against giants when he was a kid, and would much rather have spun them out, run them into a wall, or needlessly blocked them — just keep 'em off the lead lap. He is also Opinion Editor for The Badger Herald.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 8:12am):
While I think the Confederate Flag is about more than just slavery and racism, i.e. rebellion against an urban-centric federal government that screwed over the rural poor in the South, yeah, you're basically correct.
I do like how Montoya won because of the right turn at the end of the Mexico race though.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 8:15am):
NA$CAR needs to ...?
Nascar didn't put Lee Petty, Richard Petty or Kyle Petty behind a wheel, nor did they give Kasey Kahne a car to drive. Why should NA$CAR - just because you think it should be so - drop a 'minority' driver behind the wheel of a heavily subsidized stock car?
There is an outreach program. Do you honestly believe that inner city youth who steal cars since age 5 would simply lay down their .9mms and join the circut? The program is for fluff and PR. Change needs to come from inside, within. Family values, mother and father - not dropped in someone's lap.
As for the Confederate flag at races...
Since NA$CAR was founded in the back hills of Georgia from running moonshine, it has and shall always remain a Southern Sport - just as try as they might, Coca-Cola will always be a Southern Drink - thus the rightful display of Southern Flags. The flags at NA$CAR have nothing to do with the War Between The States, and everything to do with regional pride.
Brian France and Mike Helton have already spoken their bit about preferring to see Mexican Flags (Wonder if it was racist for Montoya to spin his American teammate to win in Mexico) than US flags at NA$TYCAR race tracks. I predict with a promise that this year you can expect to see at LEAST 5,000 Confederate Flags at Southern Race Tracks - and not a single one will be because someone hates a black.
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 5:58pm):
Bassey Etim:
"If these people want to display a Confederate flag, they might as well wear this sign: I am an ignorant hick."
Oh, so you're a BIGOT...
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 6:07pm):
Hey Boy!
Slavery ended of 140 year a go. Get over it!
Why blacks ain't a the race track drinking beer, there too busy selling and smoking crack!
Hillbilly Yokel
Anonymous (March 9, 2007 @ 6:39pm):
You would think that you would do your home work before flapping that lip of yours.What most Southerners know is that not only White people fought in the war between the states, but other races as well letsssssss see there were many many blacks both freedmen and slave blacks and mexicans as well as spanish breed people so your far fetched idea of the Confederate Battle flags were about slavery how stupid are you! I mean get your story straight before you complain about the Southern ways of life and here is another bit of my mind it was YOUR PEOPLE that sold YOUR race into slavery and to tell you the truth you should be mad at them not us for that.. Allso there was never a Confederate Battle flag ever flown over a slave ship but the falg that did fly over the slave ships were the good ole Stars and Bars of the United States of America!!!! So how about lets ban that flag as well better yet lets BAN ALL FLAGS and that way no one would have anything to gripe about
Brock Townsend (March 9, 2007 @ 7:59pm):
Why don't you yankees keep your noses out of our business? That's what started the War in the first place. If you didn't waste your time giving us unwanted opinions, then you might have time to delve into history instead of typing sound bites from the $PLC and the $NAACP$. Why don't you advocate banning Old Glory which flew over slavery for 80+ years, waved over the New England slave ship masters who brought their prey to these shores after purchasing them from Black their brothers, waved proudly over the Buffalo Soldiers and their yankee counterparts while they massacred our Indians using the expertise they acquired killing Southern women and children of all races during the War? Once you advocate taking the S&S down, I'll listen to you as long as you demand more whites in basketball......Asinine.
Tommy Aaron (March 10, 2007 @ 1:22pm):
Too many "we wants."
Why are they some people that think every thing must be given to them? Every one has wants including me, I take care of my needs and then, if anything is left, I fill my wants. The only thing I have ever demanded in my life was a pay check, which I earned.
If these "we wants" really have a dream, let them work for it!
Tommy Aaron
Anonymous (March 11, 2007 @ 9:35am):
Well said Tommy Aaron... well said!!! I am sick and tired of people expecting everything be handed to them. Dale Earnhardt worked hard to get into racing... even his own Dad didn't hand him anything! There are far too many people in this country wanting something for nothing.
Anonymous (March 12, 2007 @ 1:33am):
I am appalled to see the racism in the comments posted in response to what was a story about nascar.
Even if it is true that the confederate flag stood for something worthwhile and not just slavery the flag is still offensive to many Americans.
Slavery may have ended 140 years ago but racism was legal until 1965 and it still persist in society today, as evidenced by the comments posted above.
As for the article itself, why not have racing schools, everybody likes go carts. It is as good an idea as any to grow involvement. But then again who cares about Nascar.
-stephen nelson
Anonymous (March 12, 2007 @ 4:49pm):
Mr Nelson
Perhaps you've read the comments, but you missed the story!
The writer stereotypes, name calls, and oozes racist slime. He wants - no demands NA$CAR give this and grant that. The "I'm a victim and you owe me" mentality for sure!
The Jamaican Bobsled team were GIVEN no special monetary incentives. They had no bobsled paid for by the Olympics furnished to them. They felt the desire to participate in the event and made it happen.
American blacks of the naacp ilk are professional victims. We Wants. I Demand. Gimme Gimme. Just like Bassey Etim above - NA$CAR owes him and his readers something, simply because the black man hasn't flourished in the sport is his reasoning.
Perhaps blacks don't really care to drive 200 MPH in 150 degree heat for 4 hours at a time while making 500 miles of left hand turns. Blacks have shown they don't really gravitate toward Hockey, Motocross, Swimming, Snowboarding, or Rugby. Is that the fault of 150 year old white men, or a lifestyle preference?
Whites don't gravitate towards Stomping, Break dancing, Gansta Rap music, or membership in the National Black Caucus. Again - lifestyle choices. But you don't hear the Etim types beating the drum for Government intervention at placing a white guy in the Grambling University Drumline or drawing up special congressional districts to get a white elected so he can be forcible admitted into the Black Caucus, now do you?
Anonymous (March 12, 2007 @ 6:23pm):
Don't know who posted the comment at 4:49, but they hit the Nail on the Head! I wonder if the black population realize that the only reason Nascar is even courting them at all is... they want more money $$$$. Racism is a two way street. I guess it is o.k. to dislike whites and to believe that they are the reason for all the woes that the black people face. It is also easy to believe that all the people in the South owned slaves and beat them daily 140 years ago... after all if a lie is told often enough, people tend to forget the truth. Instead of going after Nascar like this writer did, why doesn't he look at all the money people like Jesse Jackson or the naacp has taken in with the pretext this money is going to help those kids in the inner cities? I try not to be a racist, I have many black friends, but articles like this, and the mind set that somebody owes them something, makes me dislike certain black people... then again, I would dislike anyone, no matter if they were white, yellow, or green if they expected everything to be handed to them. If you want something... work for it!!!
Anonymous (March 12, 2007 @ 7:32pm):
Who is Bassy Etim? How did he get that job? Why does he Badger Herald allow him to write hate pieces like this one?
Where does he get most people from; sounds like a many people statement he is getting away with. Prove it Bassy, just how many is most many people you cited. BTW calling people racist just because they don't agree with you is racism!
According to Bassy, the only way Nascar can get ahead is to do away with its roots - Southernors. Yea I know you want to kill us all off and if you can't do that steal everything we invent and claim it as your own. From this board I see we are still and kicking and always will.
DEO VINDICI
Tommy Aaron (March 13, 2007 @ 12:28am):
Mr Nelson,
Is calling white people yokels, hillbillies and ignorant hicks not racist comments.
I saw noting in any of the post that could be perceived as racist?? Just those of the author.
You say,
"as evidenced by the comments posted above."
Can you please explain the basis for this comment for us??
Tommy Aaron
Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 8:08am):
First off, just as several people have said already, NASCAR was formed in the SOUTH by SOUTHERNERS in cars on the backroads of the SOUTH. why shouldnt we be allowed to show our southern pride with a confederate battle flag? I am absolutely sick and tired of arrogant Yankees trying to act like they have some kind of business in the goings on of the south, you dont. I dont try to get New Yorkers or philadelphians to change who they are, why not? simple, I dont care. So why should you care what we do in the south?
Secondly before you start with all the yokel hillbilly crap, maybe you ought to get out here and meet a few of us. Most of us will say hi to someone, even if its a stranger, regardless of their color. I could care less if you are black, white, blue, yellow , or polka dotted, you still speak ignorance.
third, so basically you want affirmative action in NASCAR? does every sport need an equal amount of colors? Once youve removed half of the white guys, whats next? Not enough blacks in log tossing? lawnmower racing? The numbers of blacks to whites is not equal in basketball, why not gripe about that? or football? Simple. because if a sport is dominated by blacks its not racist, its fair.right? just like a black caucus is fair but a white caucus is racist? A black coaches association is fair but a white coaches association is racist?
You really want equality? first get rid of your own double standards, then maybe equality can work.
Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 10:04am):
I wonder if the black population realize that the only reason Nascar is even courting them at all is... they want more money $$$$. But as for your article... I guess it is o.k. to dislike whites and to believe that they are the reason for all the woes that the black people face. It is also easy to believe that all the white people in the South owned slaves and beat them daily 140 years ago... after all if a lie is told often enough, people tend to forget the truth. Instead of going after Nascar like this writer did, why doesn't he look at all the money people like Jesse Jackson or the naacp has taken in with the pretext this money is going to help those kids in the inner cities? I try not to be a racist, I have many black friends, but articles like this, and the mind-set that somebody owes them something, makes me dislike certain black people... then again, I would dislike anyone, no matter if they were white, yellow, or green and they expected everything to be handed to them. If you want something... work for it!!!
Anonymous (March 14, 2007 @ 1:01am):
You are a real spoilsport. Flying Confederate flags at NASCAR races is traditional and is also sort of a joke and a fun thing. Here are people out there having a good time and you are trying to spoil their fun.
NASCAR doesn't need more black fans to grow, and a lot of blacks are not offended by Confederate flags, anyway.
Consider pro basketball -- it is a very popular spectator sport among whites even though the majority of the players and the great majority of the superstars are black.
Anonymous (March 20, 2007 @ 10:49am):
Probably a bit off of center for the topic, but where NASCAR is failing F1 is leading. Lewis Hamilton, an African descended Brit who's father is from Greneda is taking the UK by storm.
He's got the same demeanor and 'vibe' of a Tiger Woods.
Plus he drives for a top team.
McLaren-Mercedes boss Ron Dennis has been grooming him from his karting days forward.
Anonymous (May 6, 2007 @ 9:28pm):
The writer is not blaming white people for anything. He is simpling saying that for NASCAR to become an even bigger venue, they need to break the color barrier with a competetive minority driver. And if somebody says what about, Juan Montoya..shut ur mouth now, because people kno Cammeron Taylor more nationally then him.
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