NASCAR sued for $500 million on allegations that it blocked efforts to diversify the sport
NASCAR is being sued on allegations that it blocked efforts to racially diversify U.S. motor sports, according to multiple media reports.
NASCAR is being sued on allegations that it blocked efforts to racially diversify U.S. motor sports, according to multiple media reports.
The lawsuit, filed Friday by Diversity Motorsports CEO Terrance Cox, charges that the stockcar racing organization “has intentionally interfered with the efforts of Cox and Diversity Motorsports to integrate the U.S. motorsports industry by perpetuating, condoning and actively participating in actions designed to humiliate, degrade, ostracize and exclude Cox.”
Cox and Diversity are seeking $500 million from NASCAR and nearly all of its teams, according to TMZ.
“Motorsports remain the most racially segregated sport in the United States,” the lawsuit states. “NASCAR and [International Speedway Corporation] have been complicit in, and supportive of, the racially discriminatory environment that virtually excludes African-Americans from meaningful participation.”
A NASCAR spokesman told TMZ that the organization “embraces all individuals interested and involved in our sport, whether as partners, fans, competitors or employees, and there is no merit to this lawsuit.”
He added: “Diversity both on and off the track continues to be a top priority for NASCAR and its stakeholders. We stand behind our actions, and will not let a publicity seeking legal action deter us from our mission.”
The lawsuit states that comedian Steve Harvey tried to start a racing team called “Steve Harvey Races 4 Education” with Cox last year but was told by NASCAR it would have nothing to do with Diversity Motorsports.
But in a video he posted Tuesday on Twitter, Harvey denied Cox’s claims. “I don’t want no damn race team,” Harvey said in the clip. “I don’t even like fast cars.”
There are no African American drivers in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series and only one in the lower-tier Xfinity Series, the lawsuit states. According to TMZ, one of the teams Cox is suing, JTG Daugherty, is 10% owned by former NBA star Brad Daugherty, who is African American.
Twitter: @chewkiii
UPDATES:
12:55 p.m.: This article was published with a reaction from Steve Harvey.
This article was originally published at 7:40 a.m.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
