Diversity still a struggle for NASCAR despite programs (cont'd)

At the 2007 Drive for Diversity Combine, a two-day test at South Boston, Va., Jadotte said team participation was positive but NASCAR won't force teams to participate.

"We feel good about the mix of teams coming into the program in 2008," said Jadotte, who added that Cup teams Haas CNC Racing, Dale Earnhardt Inc., Chip Ganassi Racing and smaller operations such as Bill McAnally Racing, Eddie Sharp Racing and Jeff Spraker of Spraker Racing Enterprises participated in the combine.

Michelle Theriault

It is important to note, drivers are finding rides from the program.

Last season, Spraker hired Michelle Theriault, a Drive for Diversity participant from 2006, to pilot the Glock Inc.-sponsored ARCA car in '07.

However, in 2008 the car will be piloted by Dexter Bean, a young man from Wisconsin who finished third in the championship point standings.

According to a statement from Theriault's camp, it was "time for a change."

Lorin Ranier, director of development for Chip Ganassi Racing, attended the Drive for Diversity Combine but said he was not shopping for a driver. He was there to support Tiffany Daniels, an aspiring female driver who races Late Models with her family-owned team and also is a Ganassi support engineer at the race shop in Concord, N.C.

Ranier said he was hoping to put in a good word for Daniels at Spraker Racing.

As for drivers to hire at Ganassi, Rainer said, "They have good diversity drivers, but just no one we think are future Cup drivers."

David Hart, spokesman for Richard Childress Racing, said no one from his team attended the event, because if there was a notable talent, team officials would've known about it long before October.

"If there was a talent out there, by the time they get to the combine, someone knows about them and has them under contract," Hart said. "And Richard Childress Racing has people looking for potential drivers, the next big thing, all over the country all the time. We don't need a combine to make that happen."

Joe Gibbs Racing found success in Marc Davis, a black driver and product of the 2006 Drive for Diversity class said to be well on his way to a successful Cup career.

Tiffany Daniels

Hired at Gibbs as a development driver, Davis is enjoying success via the team's diversity program founded by Gibbs and the late Reggie White, an initiative developed in May 2003 in partnership with White, a Hall of Fame defensive end who played in the National Football League. Gibbs formed the diversity program to create a grassroots team that would identify and assist minorities with the desire and talent to make a career in motorsports.

In January 2004, the diversity program became reality. Davis now competes in the NASCAR Busch East and West series.

Before Davis, Chris Bristol -- also a product of the 2006 Drive for Diversity program -- was hired for a short period at Gibbs to run Late Models as part of the Reggie White diversity program, but is now looking for a ride.

Bristol returned to South Boston for this year's combine looking for another shot at success. This year marked his third attempt to make the cut and Bristol said he is fortunate for the opportunity.

"No one is obligated to do anything for diversity," said Bristol, a 29-year-old mechanical engineer and native of Charlotte, N.C.

In addition to RCR, other major teams such as Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports did not attend the combine.

That's not to say they are ambivalent about diversity, but when it comes to a wheelman, or wheelwoman, they seemingly hire the best driver for the job.

Bill McAnally Racing, in partnership with RCR, took a shot on Allison Duncan, a member of the 2005 Drive for Diversity class and self-employed Late Model racer with nine years of experience, as well as Sarah Fisher who now competes in the Indy Racing League.

Hart said Duncan produced results and even won a couple of races, but in 2006 the competition was heightened, team support was lacking and sponsorship became an issue.

More often than not, careers end when the money is gone and when time and mentoring is not available. Funding is even an issue for drivers with fairly deep pockets. Racing is expensive and sponsors want results almost immediately.

Ranier's suggestion: Instead of partially funding eight drivers, cut the Drive for Diversity class and fully fund maybe one or two drivers.

Or, as some fans suggest, why not throw some NASCAR cash at the problem? (Continued)