Diversity in NASCAR Must Be Earned

For several years now, NASCAR has pushed the issue of diversity, hoping to draw in an even greater fan base. Through NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program, women, Hispanics, and African Americans have been given opportunities with esteemed organizations in lower divisions.

One of the drivers recently involved in the Drive for Diversity program was Joe Henderson III, a 21 year-old African American, who aspires to become a NASCAR driver. Henderson was signed by MB2 Motorsports last year, and has appeared in a commercial for NASCAR's Drive For Diversity, and has been featured in countrywide media such as NASCAR Scene and Sports Illustrated. But lack of performance in Late Models forced Henderson out of the ride, and now both he and his father are incensed.

It was reported that Henderson referred to NASCAR Diversity program as 'sham…a smoke and mirror program'.

According to MB2 Motorsports' Jay Frye, Henderson wanted the organization to graduate him to the next level despite his lack of success in the lower ranks.

Was Henderson expecting special treatment?

Jesus Hernandez, a Hispanic driver from the program replaced Henderson last spring. That no doubt was a sting to Henderson, who claimed that he was not given a reasonable opportunity to prove himself, however, Hernandez won two Late Model races and was rewarded with an opportunity to run some Craftsman Truck Series races.

Henderson has been watching from the sidelines ever since the spring, and believes that Hernandez was given superior equipment. I'm sure that could be the case, and I understand the Henderson family's disappointment, but in order to become a successful driver in NASCAR, you must be able to win in the lower divisions, and claims of inferior equipment do not help matters.

No one should expect to be promoted without producing results. That is the case with everyone, not just Henderson.

Aric Almirola has not suffered the frustration that Henderson has while pursuing a career in NASCAR. Almirola was in the Joe Gibbs/Reggie White Drive for Diversity program and has excelled at every level. The Cuban-American won twice in 2004 driving in the Dodge Weekly Series at Ace Speedway, and in 2005 he continued his winning ways in Late Models.

In 2006, Almirola competed in a full Craftsman Truck Series schedule for Spears Manufacturing, and ran a limited Busch Series schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing. He is expected to run the full Busch Series Schedule in 2007.

Almirola's accomplishments are corroboration that a diversity program has the potential to be successful.

In my opinion, the Drive for Diversity program is an ingenious concept, and should give minorities a fair chance to prove themselves in a sport that is overwhelmingly dominated by white males. That being said, the diversity program should not become a misconception. A minority should not expect special treatment from this program, and should not expect a
lucrative career in NASCAR just because they are apart of this program.

As with any aspiring NASCAR driver, you must earn your way up the ladder.

Winning is what should get you into NASCAR's highest levels, not ethnicity.