A vague statement and a handful of drivers aside, people in NASCAR remained largely silent the last couple weeks as massive protests against racism and police brutality continued across the U.S. and world.
But Sunday before the Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, the sport and its biggest stars took a significant step forward with a scripted video addressing racial injustice and encouraging fans to listen and learn.
However, the video and other pre-race gestures need to be a starting point for NASCAR, rather than the finish line with an unearned checkered flag. Without action, statements and videos from those in a predominantly white, male sport are nothing more than corporate lip service in a moment in history when seemingly every other organization and company is doing the same.
In the collective video statement, drivers mention George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery by name. They addressed their responsibility to speak out and encouraged others to educate themselves and “to make real change.” They said, in part:
“The process begins with us listening and learning because understanding the problem is the first step in fixing it. We are committed to listening with empathy and with an open heart to better educate ourselves. We will use this education to advocate for change in our nation, our communities and, most importantly, in our own homes, even after the headlines go away.”
The natural follow-up question here is: How are they and NASCAR going to help “make real change”?
Let’s rewind for a moment. By the time NASCAR’s race Sunday, May 31 began, only three Cup drivers, Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr., Daniel Suárez, Ty Dillon, said something substantial on social media about racism or police brutality, despite six days passing since a now-former Minneapolis police officer killed Floyd. The next day, NASCAR released a statement, which left plenty to be desired.
Falling into the same traps other sports organizations (and countless companies) did, NASCAR didn’t include recent victims’ names. And although the word “racism” is in there, police brutality, systemic oppression, “black lives matter” or any noteworthy calls to action are absent.
The biggest difference between NASCAR’s original statement and the drivers’ video is the mention of Floyd, Taylor and Arbery. But that improvement doesn’t mean the industry’s work is remotely complete.
NASCAR said it’s having ongoing discussions about future actions against racism but is not ready to announce anything at this time.
The sport’s controversial history with race includes the confederate flag remaining ubiquitous at race tracks. Driver Kyle Larson was fired in April after using the N-word. And it was only three years ago that NASCAR team owners Richard Petty and Richard Childress said they’d fire employees for kneeling during the national anthem.
“Our sport has always had somewhat of a racist label to it,” Wallace said last week on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast. “NASCAR — everybody thinks redneck, confederate flag, racist. And I hate that. I hate that because I know NASCAR’s so much more.”
(It’s worth noting that Wallace, the only black driver in the Cup Series, races for Richard Petty Motorsports, while Dillon is Childress’ grandson.)
To demonstrate a concrete commitment to fighting institutional racism, the governing body could start by banning the confederate flag from races, which would be a welcomed and long-overdue gesture that’s not even a little unconstitutional. And Wallace said Monday that NASCAR’s next move should be banning the symbol of slavery.
There is also a vocal group of NASCAR fans who remain adamantly against peaceful protests during the national anthem, despite athletes across multiple sports repeatedly explaining that it’s about racism and injustice, not the flag or military. If drivers side with these fans on this topic, perhaps they could take the time to try and understand what Colin Kaepernick and so many others have said about the protest. And convey that message to NASCAR fans.
When asked about drivers, who are usually hesitate to address social issues, speaking out now, Atlanta race winner Kevin Harvick said on a Zoom call with reporters Sunday: “To be able to have conversations about things, I’m definitely a person that wants to hear a plan that has actions included in it.”
Well, create a plan with your competitors then. And say what you’re trying to say. Don’t dance around phrases like “protests against police brutality” and “black lives matter.” Be more specific than referring to Floyd’s killing and resulting protests as “what happened in Minnesota,” like Harvick did, or “the events over the past couple of weeks,” as Martin Truex Jr. did in his post-race call.
If drivers are committed to talking and learning, they could also use their considerable platforms to open up about the conversations they’re having, particular those with other white people in or outside of the garage.
Wallace and Dillon shared their conversation about racism on Instagram last week. Sunday, Kyle Busch said he had a discussion with friend and former Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart that he recorded and plans to publicize. Jimmie Johnson said he called Wallace last week “to check in on him as a friend,” along with other black friends, and had conversations about “basic human rights and being kind to one another.”
Dillon told For The Win he spent much of his last offseason educating himself about civil rights history and racism but also acknowledged his personal work is far from over. Other drivers could follow suit and explain what anti-racism resources they’re utilizing and why.
Some teams and drivers participated in Blackout Tuesday last week, but if all they did was post a black image on social media, that gesture is disappointingly performative.
To build on that, drivers and the governing body could donate to reputable organizations that fight racism, help protesters or victims of police brutality or push for criminal justice reform. And a recurring donation could have a lasting impact beyond a one-timer.
Drivers could also put some of their own money behind NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, which helps women and people of color break into the sport.
There are countless other ways NASCAR could help create change and back up its words with action, and most likely require a bit of effort. But that’s the point.
It should never be a gamble to denounce racism. But doing so without following up is just a performance, allowing the mostly white, male sport to pretend it’s doing something meaningful while really just maintaining the status quo.
Update: NASCAR banned the Confederate flag at “all NASCAR events and properties,” it announced Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 4:45 p.m. ET.
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