NASCAR's Diversity Internship Program has recently revised its eligibility criteria, removing the specific racial and ethnic prerequisites previously listed on its website.
The change comes in the wake of online backlash and allegations of illegality.
The internship, which offers remuneration, includes attending a race, visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and networking with racing teams and industry executives. Previously, the program stipulated that applicants must belong to "one or more of the following races/ethnic minority classifications: Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Latino or Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander." This requirement has now been expunged, as evidenced by a screenshot of the former webpage available on the Daily Wire's website.
David Bernstein, a law professor at George Mason Universitys Antonin Scalia School of Law, had previously criticized the program's racial prerequisites. Speaking to the Daily Wire in late August 2023, Bernstein labeled NASCARs program as "blatantly illegal," suggesting it potentially breached Title VII and the 1866 Civil Rights Act. Bernstein further commented, Having a 100% quota for minorities for a position is illegal even under a very generous view of what is allowed.
Despite the removal of the racial prerequisite from its internship program, NASCAR continues to maintain several identity-focused initiatives with similar qualifications. The company's diversity "philosophy" states that "NASCAR Diversity & Inclusion strives to create an inclusive environment in all facets of the NASCAR industry recognizing the value of diversity, which allows us to go faster and farther in our workplaces, at the race track and in the stands."
NASCAR also promotes special programs for its supply chain, seemingly favoring businesses owned by certain races and sexual orientations. The "NASCAR Supplier Diversity" program aims to ensure "equitable opportunities to participate in NASCARs supply chain," with "Minority-owned businesses," "woman-owned" businesses, and "LGBT-owned" businesses listed as preferred suppliers. The program is sponsored by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and National Minority Supplier Development Council.
Additionally, NASCAR offers a Pit Crew Development Program exclusively for "aspiring minority and female pit crew members," and a Driver Development Program open only to "talented, young, up-and-coming minority and female drivers and pit crew athletes."
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