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Recognizing the Creation of the NASCAR-Historically Black Colleges and Universities Consortium

Date: Feb. 28, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Employment and Affirmative Action


RECOGNIZING THE CREATION OF THE NASCAR-HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES CONSORTIUM -- (House of Representatives - February 28, 2006)

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 677, which recognizes the creation of the recently formed partnership between NASCAR and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This partnership is aimed at increasing the number and quality of job opportunities for African American students in the NASCAR workforce, as well as other related fields, including automotive engineering and technology, automotive safety, sports marketing and other automotive industry areas.

This year, 2006, marks NASCAR's 57th year of racing. Sadly, during its 57 years, NASCAR has had just five black drivers to ever compete in a Cup Series race.

In 1963, Wendell Scott finished 10th or better in the points standings three times, and came away with the victory. However, Scott did not receive his trophy until a month after the fact.

Second place finisher Buck Baker, who was white, was awarded the trophy in fear of fan uproar. Today, nearly 45 years later, the number of black NASCAR fans have increased, but minority drivers and automotive technicians are still nearly nonexistent.

According to an ESPN poll, approximately 6.6 million NASCAR fans are black, yet no black driver has competed at the Cup Series level since Willie T. Ribbs ran three races 20 years ago.

The on-track program is not NASCAR's only effort at diversifying the predominately white sport. NASCAR offers awards, diversity scholarships to minority undergraduate and graduate students attending HBCUs.

The scholarship program is in its sixth year, and the NASCAR diversity internship program is in its seventh year. The internship program is a 10-week paid summer internship that introduces minority students to NASCAR and various career opportunities throughout the industry.

Many of the summer interns have graduated and are currently pursuing engineering and sports management careers. As the automotive industry grows and becomes more technologically demanding in the coming decades, this partnership between NASCAR and Historically Black Colleges and Universities will become increasingly vital.

Mr. Speaker, I support the resolution and urge my colleagues to do so.

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