Tweet
Marc Davis is the son of Harry Davis former region 4 African American Formula 1 pro boat racer. Harry was one of the folks responsible for my involvement in boat racing. It was Harry who gave me my first ride in his Champ Boat back in the late 70's 
great story below I wish Marc all the best of luck!
Dan
December 30, 2006
NASCAR's race for diversity
Teen is finding success in program that develops minority, female drivers
By Cordell Eddings
cordell.eddings@indystar.com
December 30, 2006
Marc Davis doesn't feel like a pioneer, but the 16-year-old may change the face of NASCAR.
The soft-spoken teenager from Maryland just got his learner's permit to drive in public in April. But he's already made a name for himself in racing circles as a late model stock car driver -- even though he's two years from being eligible for NASCAR's Nextel Cup and Busch racing series.
When he looks into the stands, or around the track, Marc doesn't see many people who look like him. But he's used to it.
"That's how it's always been," said Marc, who is a driver in the Drive for Diversity Program, one of NASCAR's efforts to open up the sport to women and minorities.
The young, black and talented teen is one of the faces NASCAR hopes will usher in a new segment of fans and drivers to a sport traditionally dominated by white men.
With no minorities or women driving in Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, and no regular black or Hispanic drivers or owners on the Nextel Cup circuit, NASCAR officials acknowledge the sport isn't a beacon of diversity, but they say that's about to change.
"The sport has really taken a big turn in the last 10 years, so we are kind of catching up," said Tish Sheets, NASCAR's director of diversity.
She declined to say how much NASCAR spends on its diversity programs -- the race circuit is a private company and doesn't have to disclose that information -- but she said increasing diversity is essential to NASCAR's bottom line.
"Any business which is not focusing on the African-American communities, the Hispanic community or women is doing itself a disservice," Sheets said.
NASCAR has partnered with historically black colleges and universities for internship and work programs, courted minority business owners to invest in teams and offered free tickets to urban radio stations to use as prizes to bring out those who had never seen a track, Sheets said.
The race circuit even brought in R & B singer Usher Raymond to "hang out" in the stands this May in Charlotte, N.C., she said.
NASCAR's most aggressive initiative, however, is the Drive for Diversity Program, which helps give female and minority drivers a chance to get sponsored by established racing teams. Eight drivers and 12 crew members are chosen to receive help from the program for a year.
Marc entered Drive for Diversity last year and is being sponsored by Joe Gibbs Racing in a developmental league.
"He is like a young Jeff Gordon," said Sheets, who lauded Marc's success but said officials don't want him to have to shoulder alone the burden of bringing diversity to the sport.
"We need several faces," she said.
NASCAR's efforts to bring diversity to the sport are drawing mixed reviews.
"Everybody talks about diversity because it's politically correct," said Bruce Bryant, owner of the Indianapolis-based Promotus Advertising firm. Bryant, who is black, has worked with the Indy Racing League to bring diversity to the sport but insists no racing circuit has adequately addressed the problem.
"Whoever can figure out how to successfully do it will make a ton of money," Bryant said.
Searching for diversity comes out of a need for growth, said Bryant, but he thinks NASCAR has done so well in attracting fans that diversity is not one of the organization's top priorities.
"When you're so busy trying to grow and manage your brand, and dealing with safety issues (and) top stars bad-mouthing each other, you get to the other stuff when you have time -- and you never have time," Bryant said.
The culture of NASCAR is a huge obstacle to overcome, according to Gary Sales, a sports sociologist at Indiana University.
"The fans are usually white and blue-collar. These are obvious facts," said Sales, who suggested that people often spend their leisure time and money with people who are like them. Conversely, it might not be the most enticing environment to a black or Hispanic youth.
"We all do it," said Sales. "From the outside looking in, it might look like prejudice -- and there is some prejudice -- but there is mostly naivete."
Another obstacle for anyone interested in a career in racing: The sport costs a lot.
"It gets more expensive every year," said Marc's father, Harry Davis, a retired NBC cameraman who has lost track of how much money he has invested in his son's sport. He said it takes at least $60,000 to get the kind of car necessary to make a serious attempt at developing in racing.
The price goes up from there to pay for parts, a crew and other fees. He said it's easier to become an NBA point guard or an NFL quarterback than it is to become a Nextel Cup driver. There are only 43 spots on the whole race circuit.
Sheets insists NASCAR isn't just trying to look concerned about diversity. She maintains the circuit is making a sincere approach that will lead to long-term change.
"A lot of people have seen marketing programs come and go," said Sheets. "We don't have blinders on. We want this to work the right way."
"We can't really put a timetable, and we don't want to. Progress will be made when this is not a story anymore," said Sheets.
Marc Davis knows he stands out in his sport. But he doesn't feel any pressure to expand NASCAR's fan base.
"There's no pressure," he said. "Racing is what I like to do, and if I can encourage other minorities, that would be nice, too."
great story below I wish Marc all the best of luck!Dan
December 30, 2006
NASCAR's race for diversity
Teen is finding success in program that develops minority, female drivers
By Cordell Eddings
cordell.eddings@indystar.com
December 30, 2006
Marc Davis doesn't feel like a pioneer, but the 16-year-old may change the face of NASCAR.
The soft-spoken teenager from Maryland just got his learner's permit to drive in public in April. But he's already made a name for himself in racing circles as a late model stock car driver -- even though he's two years from being eligible for NASCAR's Nextel Cup and Busch racing series.
When he looks into the stands, or around the track, Marc doesn't see many people who look like him. But he's used to it.
"That's how it's always been," said Marc, who is a driver in the Drive for Diversity Program, one of NASCAR's efforts to open up the sport to women and minorities.
The young, black and talented teen is one of the faces NASCAR hopes will usher in a new segment of fans and drivers to a sport traditionally dominated by white men.
With no minorities or women driving in Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, and no regular black or Hispanic drivers or owners on the Nextel Cup circuit, NASCAR officials acknowledge the sport isn't a beacon of diversity, but they say that's about to change.
"The sport has really taken a big turn in the last 10 years, so we are kind of catching up," said Tish Sheets, NASCAR's director of diversity.
She declined to say how much NASCAR spends on its diversity programs -- the race circuit is a private company and doesn't have to disclose that information -- but she said increasing diversity is essential to NASCAR's bottom line.
"Any business which is not focusing on the African-American communities, the Hispanic community or women is doing itself a disservice," Sheets said.
NASCAR has partnered with historically black colleges and universities for internship and work programs, courted minority business owners to invest in teams and offered free tickets to urban radio stations to use as prizes to bring out those who had never seen a track, Sheets said.
The race circuit even brought in R & B singer Usher Raymond to "hang out" in the stands this May in Charlotte, N.C., she said.
NASCAR's most aggressive initiative, however, is the Drive for Diversity Program, which helps give female and minority drivers a chance to get sponsored by established racing teams. Eight drivers and 12 crew members are chosen to receive help from the program for a year.
Marc entered Drive for Diversity last year and is being sponsored by Joe Gibbs Racing in a developmental league.
"He is like a young Jeff Gordon," said Sheets, who lauded Marc's success but said officials don't want him to have to shoulder alone the burden of bringing diversity to the sport.
"We need several faces," she said.
NASCAR's efforts to bring diversity to the sport are drawing mixed reviews.
"Everybody talks about diversity because it's politically correct," said Bruce Bryant, owner of the Indianapolis-based Promotus Advertising firm. Bryant, who is black, has worked with the Indy Racing League to bring diversity to the sport but insists no racing circuit has adequately addressed the problem.
"Whoever can figure out how to successfully do it will make a ton of money," Bryant said.
Searching for diversity comes out of a need for growth, said Bryant, but he thinks NASCAR has done so well in attracting fans that diversity is not one of the organization's top priorities.
"When you're so busy trying to grow and manage your brand, and dealing with safety issues (and) top stars bad-mouthing each other, you get to the other stuff when you have time -- and you never have time," Bryant said.
The culture of NASCAR is a huge obstacle to overcome, according to Gary Sales, a sports sociologist at Indiana University.
"The fans are usually white and blue-collar. These are obvious facts," said Sales, who suggested that people often spend their leisure time and money with people who are like them. Conversely, it might not be the most enticing environment to a black or Hispanic youth.
"We all do it," said Sales. "From the outside looking in, it might look like prejudice -- and there is some prejudice -- but there is mostly naivete."
Another obstacle for anyone interested in a career in racing: The sport costs a lot.
"It gets more expensive every year," said Marc's father, Harry Davis, a retired NBC cameraman who has lost track of how much money he has invested in his son's sport. He said it takes at least $60,000 to get the kind of car necessary to make a serious attempt at developing in racing.
The price goes up from there to pay for parts, a crew and other fees. He said it's easier to become an NBA point guard or an NFL quarterback than it is to become a Nextel Cup driver. There are only 43 spots on the whole race circuit.
Sheets insists NASCAR isn't just trying to look concerned about diversity. She maintains the circuit is making a sincere approach that will lead to long-term change.
"A lot of people have seen marketing programs come and go," said Sheets. "We don't have blinders on. We want this to work the right way."
"We can't really put a timetable, and we don't want to. Progress will be made when this is not a story anymore," said Sheets.
Marc Davis knows he stands out in his sport. But he doesn't feel any pressure to expand NASCAR's fan base.
"There's no pressure," he said. "Racing is what I like to do, and if I can encourage other minorities, that would be nice, too."