African-American Drivers

October 8, 2001

The General and I had a discussion about this last night. he was kinda leery about posting it because of the controversy it is liable to start. Well, here goes.

NASCAR and Stock Car Racing in general has always been labeled as a redneck white boy sport. If you look way back in the '50's through the '70's there was only one black driver that I know of, Wendell Scott. Richard Pryor's "Greased Lightnin'" was his life story. Wendell was THE MAN. He was treated like crap during his entire career due to his race, but never gave up. I think most of the competitors grew to respect him, but the majority of the crews and fans wouldn't have anything to do with him.

From the '80's up to now, the only African-American driver in the stock car world is Willy T. Ribbs. He's been in SCCA and T/A racing for quite a while and has just recently moved into the NCTS Division. Personally, I have never been a big fan of Willy T. He used to crash a lot and then run his mouth even more. I haven't seen enough truck racing this year to form an opinion.

I was just wondering if any of you race fans know of any black local drivers or fans. Last year I took a coworker to the track with me and he fell in love with racing. He had simply never been exposed to it! He was the only African American I have seen at this local track, we went almost every week last year, and only once did some real drunk redneck say something derogatory to him. That guy was immediately shut up by some of his friends and escorted out. My friend has since moved out to Cal and I lost touch with him.

Any other views on this?

General Lee 01 · October 9, 2001

Willy T. has wrecked or blown up tthe engine in every CTS race I've seen him in.

There's also one other African American driver entering the CTS scene. I can't remember his name but he's a teamate to Willy T. Ribbs and they both wrecked (in the same incident, coincidently) at South Boston.

I wish I could've seen Wendell Scott drive after hearing all the praise he's getting today.

That new series that Cale Yarborough (SP?) is trying to start is supposed to promote a more "culturally mixed" atmosphere.

There are also a handful of African American crewmen on WC teams. NBC interviewed one of them from the Ray Evernham team during the Michigan rain delay.

I myself would like to see more African American drivers in racing.

Kansas Kid · October 9, 2001

I just don't think that very many African-Americans are ever really introduced to stock car racing as kids, so very few are going to make it into driving as a profession. Most of these guys who drive had family members involved in the sport, and that makes a huge difference. Just a thought....

The Beav · October 9, 2001

I tried to refrain from this politically correct, bash the good-ol'-boys string, but couldn't resist. In the same vein as asking about African-Americans in stock car racing, what about in the open-wheelers? How many AAs raced at Indy, or how many are racing F1, or desert trucks, or Sat nite local dirt tracks? I honestly don't think it's a NASCAR vs. AA thing, or even anyone or anything against AAs, it just a cultural thing that doesn't seem to appeal to persons of color.

October 9, 2001

Quote from The Beav, posted on Oct. 09 2001,11:34

I tried to refrain from this politically correct, bash the good-ol'-boys string, but couldn't resist. In the same vein as asking about African-Americans in stock car racing, what about in the open-wheelers? How many AAs raced at Indy, or how many are racing F1, or desert trucks, or Sat nite local dirt tracks? I honestly don't think it's a NASCAR vs. AA thing, or even anyone or anything against AAs, it just a cultural thing that doesn't seem to appeal to persons of color.

Sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out as a NASCAR vs. African American thread. I should have included Sprints, Indy Cars and racing in general. Indy Car racing is a little more culturally diverse, though. Cart, F1A, and IRL all have drivers and crews that aren't American Caucasians, but you're right, there' still is not any African Americans.

doverarjim · October 10, 2001

My experence has been that more blacks take part in Drag Racing than any of the other types of racing. All though you don't see a great lot of blacks in any motor sports at this time. All of the Sat night and Sunday local ET races have quite a few blacks, depending where you are, I've raced from CA to AR and even been to one little track in Temple TX where the black owned cars out numbered all the other.

quadrunner500 · October 10, 2001

I'm sick of political correctness....

They asked Charlie Pride:

What's it like being the first colored country western singer?

later...

What's it like being the first negro country western singer?

later...

What's it like being the first black country western singer?

later...

What's it like being the first african American country western singer?

He said, "It's just like it was when I was the first colored country western singer!"

There are no African Americans, Italian Americans, Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, Irish Americans, Arab Americans. Only loyal, red white and blue Americans! And if you are not one of them, then get out of my country!

USA!

HiG4s · October 19, 2001

Quote from quadrunner500, posted on Oct. 10 2001,5:10

There are no African Americans, Italian Americans, Mexican Americans, Cuban Americans, Irish Americans, Arab Americans. Only loyal, red white and blue Americans! And if you are not one of them, then get out of my country!
USA!

Hmm. Unless your ancestors were already here when Columbus "discovered" America, you're way out of line!!!! And I AM a red blooded American.