4 NASCAR initiatives advancing diversity and inclusion

F1, IndyCar, and NASCAR have been working to enhance diversity across all categories of the sport. The world of motorsport has come up with initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion in recent years like the F1 D&I charter signed by all 10 teams. Motorsport organizations have recognized the recent surge in demands to solve these social issues and implemented multiple programs.

Bubba Wallace is the only driver of color on the NASCAR Cup Series grid whereas Rajah Caruth and Blake Lothian are the only ones in the Truck series.

NASCAR: Cup Qualifying - Source: Imagn

Bubba Wallace spoke about the lack of diversity and said in 2023 (via the Chicago Sun-Times):

“Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t like changes that we’re doing as a sport to tap into different demographics and make the sport more welcoming and inclusive, and that’s on them. They have to live with that. For us, we continue to march forward.”

Nonetheless, NASCAR has implemented multiple programs under its diversity and inclusion philosophy.

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#4 NASCAR Next Internship Program

The NASCAR Next Internship Program is designed to provide undergraduate and graduate students from diverse backgrounds with a way into the world of motorsports. It is a 10-week paid summer internship that takes place from mid-May to late July.

According to NASCAR’s website, "Interns begin their experience with orientation in Charlotte, North Carolina. This multi-day immersion introduces the incoming class to the business of NASCAR. Interns will experience a NASCAR race, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, tour race teams and meet with industry executives."

"Upon completion of orientation interns will begin their internship at their respective locations. Throughout the program, each intern is matched with a mentor and participates in weekly lunch and learns with NASCAR executives and program alumni."

The students must be US citizens or have a work visa, be enrolled in an undergraduate and graduate program, or need to be recent graduates to apply for the internship. They must have a minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale and be willing to relocate to Florida, North Carolina, or other available work locations for the program.

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#3 NASCAR Supplier Diversity

NASCAR introduced Supplier Diversity for "establishing and strengthening mutually beneficial business relationships with diverse suppliers." This initiative is set to help supply chains from diverse backgrounds become part of the motorsports world while also considering the economic benefits for the supplier.

To be included in the Supplier Diversity program, the business must be minority-owned, woman-owned, LGBT-owned, veteran-owned, or disabled-owned.

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#2 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Development Program

NASCAR: Daytona 500 - Source: Imagn

The Driver for Diversity program isn't limited to the drivers on the grid. NASCAR aims to improve the diversity across the sport including the paddock. As a result, the pit crew development program was put in place.

It is a training program for pit crew members from diverse backgrounds. The program focuses on mentoring the key skills and mentality required to become a successful pit crew member and further aiding the personnel to join the motorsports industry.

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#1 NASCAR Drive for Diversity Driver Development Program

The Driver Development Program was put into place in 2010 as Rev Racing was founded. Rev Racing is a team that competes in the junior stock car racing series and fields drivers from diverse backgrounds on the grid. Along with the opportunity to race in the junior series, the drivers are provided with coaching and training to help develop the necessary skills that are required to move up the NASCAR ladder.

According to RevRacing.net:

“Rev Racing builds a training program that focuses on more than driver competition, training drivers on media, branding, self-promotion, sponsor relations and health and wellness.”