NASCAR, former official settle $225 million suit

NASCAR has settled a $225 million lawsuit filed by a former Nationwide Series official who said she was subjected to racial discrimination and sexual harassment during her time working for the organization.

Terms of the settlement between Mauricia Grant and NASCAR were confidential.

Former official sues

Mauricia Grant sued NASCAR for $225 million, alleging racial and sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination.

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The settlement was agreed to at a mediation held in New York on Dec. 3.

"We're glad to have the case settled on mutually acceptable terms," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said in a statement.

"NASCAR remains dedicated to maintaining a professional work environment for all employees at all times, and we wish Ms. Grant well in her future endeavors."

Grant filed the federal lawsuit against NASCAR in June. Grant detailed more than 50 instances of alleged racial and sexual harassment in her complaint.

Grant, who is black, worked as a technical inspector responsible for certifying cars in NASCAR's second-tier Nationwide Series from January 2005 until her October 2007 termination. In the lawsuit filed in June in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Grant alleged 23 specific incidents of alleged sexual harassment and 34 specific incidents of alleged racial and gender discrimination during her employment.

Among Grant's claims, she said she was referred to as "Nappy Headed Mo" and "Queen Sheba," by co-workers, was often told she worked on "colored people time," and was frightened by one official who routinely made Ku Klux Klan references.

Grant also said she was subjected to sexual advances from male co-workers, two of whom allegedly exposed themselves to her, and graphic and lewd jokes.

NASCAR investigated her claims and ultimately fired Tim Knox and Bud Moore, the two officials accused in the lawsuit of exposing themselves. NASCAR has declined to discuss the reasons for their dismissal.

NASCAR chairman Brian France vigorously defended his family business after Grant filed suit, saying she never complained to her supervisors about any of the actions she claimed after her firing.

She denied France's account, saying she followed the chain of command but stopped short of taking it to human resources when series director Joe Balash failed to address her concerns.

Grant said that two weeks after her complaint to Balash, she received a call from the human resources director reprimanding her for her behavior. She said she was fired shortly after.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.