NASCAR accused of racial discrimination
in lawsuit
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[September 20, 2016]
By Jonathan Stempel
NEW YORK (Reuters) - NASCAR was hit with a
$500 million lawsuit accusing the auto racing body of racial
discrimination for preventing black-owned teams and drivers from
competing, including in the Sprint Cup Series.
Terrance Cox and his company, Diversity Motorsports Racing LLC, filed a
lawsuit late on Friday in U.S. district court in Manhattan against
NASCAR, its parent company, International Speedway Corp, and 18 teams,
according to court records.
The plaintiffs are also seeking an injunction requiring the defendants
to "fully integrate the African-American community."
In a statement, NASCAR said the lawsuit has no merit.
"Diversity both on and off the track continues to be a top priority for
NASCAR and its stakeholders," the organization said. "We stand behind
our actions, and will not let a publicity-seeking legal action deter us
from our mission."
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The plaintiffs said they sued after NASCAR refused to let them field a
team or join its Drive for Diversity program, and last year told them to
cease contact.
Citing NASCAR's website, the plaintiffs said none of the 48 drivers in
the Sprint Cup, NASCAR's top racing series, is black, and only one of
the 18 teams has partial African-American ownership. They also said only
one driver in NASCAR's Xfinity Series circuit is black.
"Motorsports remain the most racially segregated sport in the United
States," the complaint said. "NASCAR and ISC have been complicit in, and
supportive of, the racially discriminatory environment that virtually
excludes African-Americans from meaningful participation."
The lawsuit seeks $75 million in compensatory damages and $425 million
in punitive damages.
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![](../images/092016pics/news_J19.jpg)
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Carl Edwards (19), Kevin Harvick
(4), Jaime McMurray (1), Ryan Blaney (21), Brad Keselowski (2) and
Kyle Larson (42) during the Daytona 500 at Daytona International
Speedway. Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
![](../images/ads/current/richardson_lda_090916.png)
Ronald Paltrowitz, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said any funds would
go toward groups that the plaintiffs sponsor to boost minority
participation in motorsports.
Diversity Motorsports was founded by Cox, who is chief executive
officer, and Bob Schacht of Bob Schacht Motorsports, and is based in
Mooresville, North Carolina. NASCAR is based in Daytona Beach,
Florida, and has a Manhattan office.
The case is Cox et al v National Association for Stock Car Racing
Inc et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No.
16-07268.
(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
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