NASCAR, F1, IndyCar: In the End, It's Just Not for Me

Let me preface this by saying I don’t know the history of any of the sports I’m about to mention. I’m not a fan. The most experience I have with the motorsports culture is watching NHRA and attending car shows that featured drag races by amateurs.

So, that said, there isn’t one part of this article that a die-hard could not dissect. It’s not meant to be a history lesson, it’s meant to be my humble opinion. Why? Well, for one, I was asked.

Two, it seems that lately I have seen a fair share of people writing about and debating the merit of broadening motorsports to minority groups (women and persons of color).

I always find it interesting when sports leagues try to diversify their sport, because it’s usually not necessary. NASCAR seems to be doing quite well for itself. It could always be better, but its true fans are still there.

I’m not saying that inclusion and growth are bad, but if the ONLY reason you are attending is because there is a black or female driver behind the wheel, then chances are you won’t be in it for the long haul. So why on earth would NASCAR want to cater to a fair-weather fan?

My feeling is your interests are your interests. Period.

For example, I love Michael Jordan. I grew up watching him play. I owned every video, jersey, t-shirt, poster, and magazine cover he ever graced. I bought his books. I joined his fan club. I even owned the single-cassette for the “Like Mike” song. He was the cat’s meow to me and basketball has not been the same experience since he retired.

Michael Jordan now owns a motorcycle racing team. As his lifelong fan, wouldn’t it stand to reason that I would follow this endeavor as well? It should, but it doesn’t. Why? Because I’m not into motorcycle racing. It’s not my thing.

As much as I adore Michael, his being a part of motorcycle racing hasn’t made me any more interested in discovering more about the sport.

But, for the sake of argument, let’s say I was interested in NASCAR, and I only use them as the example because of their Drive for Diversity program. So why wouldn’t this program make me more interested in taking a look at NASCAR?

Well, for starters, I don’t identify with the perceived culture of the sport. It still seems to cater to a particular demographic. 

The stereotype of big men with beer bellies screaming “git er’ done" from under the tent of their camper while their confederate flag blows in the breeze often leaps to mind when the subject is broached within my circle of friends.

I admit it is an unfair stereotype, especially when you consider all the new blood and change that has come to the sport, but it is a stereotype that is often perpetuated in movies, on television, and in advertising.

Movies like Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and lists like that of David Letterman’s “Top 10 Reasons Why There Are No Black NASCAR Drivers” seem to add fire to the flame of: “This is a sport that’s not for you”. The "you" being minorities, and in particular, blacks.

It makes it hard for me to identify my place in that world.

But even simpler than that, NASCAR has its fan base, and I am not now, nor will I ever be able to consider myself, a fan of the sport. Whenever I do see a race on a television, I’m simply not mesmerized by the cars going in circles.

I can appreciate the skill and talent it takes to do so, but I’m not entertained by it; no matter what color or gender the driver is, you won’t be able to make that aspect of the sport interesting to me.

NASCAR has done a very progressive thing in implementing its “Drive For Diversity” program, but I think it may have been ill-conceived. Sure, it’s an invaluable boon for those who want to race or work in NASCAR, but it won’t necessarily make you into a fan if you weren’t already one.

I think NASCAR should stop trying so hard. Most of the reasons that minorities aren't drawn to NASCAR don't have a thing to do with race or gender. It's about interest. You see, there isn’t anything wrong with NASCAR, or motorsports in general, its just not my cup of tea. I don’t find it interesting to watch, read about, or see.

The inclusion of Lewis Hamilton into F1 doesn’t make F1 any more appealing. Danica Patrick may be great behind the wheel, but she’s not going to influence my opinion of IndyCar.

Ashley Force, to me, is John Force’s daughter. That’s it. I don’t watch NHRA to see Ashley Force, nor am I more attracted to it because she’s there.

I’m not wondering why there aren’t more black or female drivers when I’m watching a drag race. That’s the last thing on my mind. You can’t bring viewers to your sport if they aren’t interested in your sport. Plain and simple.

I think NASCAR and motorsports as a whole, need to stick to pleasing their bread and butter fans. No matter what demographic those fans may actually fall into, if they stray too far from the purity of their product, they may actually find that they are doing an injustice to those who really care about it.

Lose those fans and there will be a problem.

I’m not saying that a sport shouldn’t try to be inclusive or broaden its appeal. I’m just saying if people like it, they will come. If not, they won’t. No amount of PC maneuvering is going to change that fact.