Too White Lawsuit?

BobbyFord

BobbyFord

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This is a bit of a stretch...

Driver sues NASCAR, "too Caucasian'? An aspiring stock-car driver is suing NASCAR, claiming he was denied the opportunity to compete in NASCAR's diversity program because he looks "too Caucasian." NASCAR argues that in trying to change the "face" of the sport, it has the right to select drivers for its diversity program based on skin color, attorneys for the sanctioning body and its former diversity program administrators have told a U.S. District court. Michael Rodriguez, a driver from Pennsylvania, says in his complaint filed in U.S. District Court that he was denied the opportunity to compete in the 2005 and 2006 Drive For Diversity combines. Rodriguez is suing NASCAR and Access Communications, which operated NASCAR's diversity program from its inception in 2004 until 2008 and conducted the combines that are designed for teams in NASCAR's regional series to scout minority drivers. NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program was created to develop minority drivers and crewmen and help them advance through the NASCAR ranks with the goal of reaching the sport's top series. Since 2004, the program has included 41 drivers, with most being selected multiple times. There currently are six drivers in the program racing in various NASCAR regional series.(full article at the Sporting News)(4-20-2012)
 
Excellent, it a BS program. I would be happy to see real diversity, I enjoy F1s wide range.


But there are also lots of white boys that can drive who never got the opportunity.
I would be willing to bet more of them have faced an owner's rejection. This is relevant because that is the base for almost all of the dreamers wanting to race.


If NASCAR wants a full racial menu, Brian could step down and allow minority control, or he could hand over one of his tracks with a cup date.


Without the put-up they should just shut-up. Because it is obvious that diversity is something for them to impose on the little folks and there dreams, only a fool would think the higher ups embrace it on personal level.


Net: Screw them too.
 
This is still a sponsor driven sport.If a Russian driver can bring a big time Russian sponsor in with him,he won't have any trouble getting a ride.Same goes for any Nationality in the world.I'm surprised noone has been able to do it yet.
 
I don't beleive the concern is over Nationality it's all about Race.

I do have this picture of a Hot Female Russian race car driver sponsored by Smirnoff running through my head now :).....Thanks!
 
FlFlash said:
I don't beleive the concern is over Nationality it's all about Race.

I do have this picture of a Hot Female Russian race car driver sponsored by Smirnoff running through my head now :).....Thanks!
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Nice image . You can substitute any color though , it's still about sponsors . I think that the diversity progam is a fantastic opportunity for minorities , however white ,black or green , getting into Nascar is about bringing sponsors with you.
 
MM, I was wondering when this question would be posted! lol

BobbyFord said:
Almirola? Kasey Kahne is so white he's almost transparent...except for those rosy cheeks
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But KK never claimed to be Hispanic.

FlFlash said:
I do have this picture of a Hot Female Russian race car driver sponsored by Smirnoff running through my head now :).....Thanks!
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Oh, Natasha............. ;)

I understand NA$$CAR's desire to involve a more representative cross-section of America's racial diversity but by pandering to select groups of individuals they are reinforcing the bigotry they are trying to avoid. Affirmative Action programs have been curtailed, for the most part, and maybe this program should be too.

I would not be surprised to see Gloria Alred (or some other media-hungry opportunist) appearing along side Mr. Rodriguez at a press conference, grandstanding against his perceiverd exclusion.

America - what a Country!
Yakov-Smirnoff-Pic-3.jpg
 
The Mexicans tried, net result "Tobacco Fiasco".
 
The blacks tried too remember the "Pontiac",
 
FlFlash said:
Maybe a car with a Mexican flag on the roof would help???
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Is he Mexican? he might have a Mexican name but really he might be adopted...and if I read that right they can pick who they want in based only on color and they don't want any more white guys racing in the diversity program, also I agree with anyone that says if he had sponsors he would be in no matter what...
 
Biffle16 said:
Is he Mexican? he might have a Mexican name but really he might be adopted...and if I read that right they can pick who they want in based only on color and they don't want any more white guys racing in the diversity program, also I agree with anyone that says if he had sponsors he would be in no matter what...
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The tongue in cheek comment about the flag on the roof was in referance to another thread involving a car with a flag on the roof, you might have missed that thread.
 
BobbyFord said:
Almirola? Kasey Kahne is so white he's almost transparent...except for those rosy cheeks
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No I mean it as didn't Amirola come out of the diversity program because he is Cuban?
 
#17D500winner said:
He did but was in Nascar before that.
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I don't know about that, but I remember when he was in the diversity program, driving for Gibbs, another Gibbs driver was Chris Bristol, a young black kid. Almirola moved up but I never saw much more of Bristol.
 
buckaroo said:
I don't know about that, but I remember when he was in the diversity program, driving for Gibbs, another Gibbs driver was Chris Bristol, a young black kid. Almirola moved up but I never saw much more of Bristol.
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I do know that he was in the Nascar system but I don't jump through hoops, dance like a monkey or do homework for others ;) so if anyone wants to prove me wrong - have at it.
 
In my opinion it comes down to money, big money, big dollar sponsors are making the call as to who they want in the car that they are spending 15 or 20 million a year on. Who they think will best represent their product. they don't care about racing, they care about the bottom line. We all know without big money you might as well stay home or suffer the embrassment of start and park just for the last place money.
 
UPDATE: A federal judge has denied NASCAR's request to throw out a lawsuit by an aspiring driver who was invited to its 2005 Drive For Diversity combine but claims he was discriminated against when he never made it onto the track. Michael Rodriguez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, filed the lawsuit in January 2010 claiming NASCAR and Access Communications, which operated the diversity program, violated his civil rights. He is asking for unspecified damages.(more at the Sporting News)(4-24-2012)

And if this goes to court and the "aspiring" driver wins he'll NEVER race in any NASCAR series.
 
BobbyFord said:
UPDATE: A federal judge has denied NASCAR's request to throw out a lawsuit by an aspiring driver who was invited to its 2005 Drive For Diversity combine but claims he was discriminated against when he never made it onto the track.
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I think Jeremy may have found himself a new lawyer. ;)
 
Back to diversity.

Big thumbs up to the midget racing people.

Short people should be allowed to race, just like regular folks and those midget races are good too.
 
Greg said:
Back to diversity.

Big thumbs up to the midget racing people.

Short people should be allowed to race, just like regular folks and those midget races are good too.
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You talkin bout Jeff Gordon , Kasey Kane , Mark Martin ,Jimmy Johnson , Matt Kenseth , Tony Stewart ,etc .?:D
 
ted@economy said:
You talkin bout Jeff Gordon , Kasey Kane , Mark Martin ,Jimmy Johnson , Matt Kenseth , Tony Stewart ,etc .?:D
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I think Jason Leffler is the shortest of all male drivers. I haven't seen him stand side by side with Danica yet but I'd imagine he isn't much if any taller.
 
OK, I guess not much interest in this but it seems like it will be settled soon.....

NASCAR dismissed outright as party to suit - no settlement. Diversity program administrator Access finalizing its settlement w/Rodriguez.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
OK, I guess not much interest in this but it seems like it will be settled soon.....

NASCAR dismissed outright as party to suit - no settlement. Diversity program administrator Access finalizing its settlement w/Rodriguez.
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I wonder how much he got. :rolleyes:
 
Who is the diversity program administrator? I am white as heck and I would be happy with a pulled motor from a Chevrolet. ;)
 
In its trial brief, NASCAR argued that the color of his skin had no bearing on the decision to park him before he drove. NASCAR argued that Rusty Crucitti, an employee of Access or GMR Marketing, which worked with Access to administer the program, did not allow Rodriguez to participate because Rodriguez had earlier asked for some aspirin, and Crucitti, in a deposition, said he believed Rodriguez was disoriented after hitting his head on a trailer.

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2012-06-05/nascar-diversity-lawsuit-settlement-nascar-dismissed-defendant-michael-rodriguez#ixzz1x1uDO5QY

I wonder if the brilliant minds in the media asked the Rodriguez family about this? There has got to be more to this, since Aric Almirola came out of this program.
 
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