Being a predominantly white-dominated sport, NASCAR has long been viewed as racist since its inception. But today, NASCAR runs a Diversity & Inclusion program to create an inclusive environment in all facets of the NASCAR industry. It is focused on helping individuals of all races go faster and farther in their workplaces, at the racetrack, and in the stands. Additionally, with its television and streaming rights contracts with FOX, Amazon, and Warner Bros., NASCAR is banking on attracting more African-American and Hispanic fans.

Despite all these, the negative side exists. And recently, a NASCAR journalist was questioned for following an X account that made racist remarks about Bubba Wallace. What is this all about?

The media seeks to cover all shades of NASCAR

A controversial fan account on X caught the attention of the NASCAR community. It tweeted posts that portrayed Bubba Wallace, the only black full-time Cup driver after Wendell Scott (the first African-American driver and team owner to compete and win in all divisions of NASCAR at its highest level), in a negative light. NASCAR’s top journalist was also snubbed for following this vile account. Another fan with an activist mindset reshared this post, tagging NASCAR top journalist Bob Pockrass as well. They snubbed the reporter: “why do you follow this racist a*shat? 🤨”

But in the media world, there is a need to know all shades of a sport, controversial or not. So Pockrass retorted with his point, citing occupational hazards. “At the start of Twitter, I followed all accounts that followed me. But I now primarily follow lists. Also a follow doesn’t mean an endorsement or a like. As a journalist, there is benefit to seeing/understanding what is being said from all points of views.”

The activist fan partially accepted Pockrass’ explanation. “I appreciate you taking the time to respond. I understand that it doesn’t equal an endorsement. It’s still shocking none the less to see a respected member of the media follow such an abhorrent account. Thank you, again.”

Bubba Wallace made history when he entered NASCAR’s top tier in 2018. He is the second black driver to compete full-time after Wendell Scott entered in 1961. Wallace’s 2021 Talladega victory under 23XI Racing also trailed behind Scott’s lone 1963 Cup win. However, it also meant he had to face the heat of racism in the garage.

On 21st June 2020, a noose was found hanging in his garage stall. Investigations led nowhere, and the culprit and their intentions were never uncovered. Then, last year, a fan infiltrated Wallace’s radio and allegedly asked him to “go back to where you came from” and said, “you’re not wanted in Nascar.”

However, in support of Pockrass, it would be pertinent to bring up a racist situation six years ago, where he voiced his support for a non-American driver.

When Bob Pockrass used a bilingual joke to shut down a racist comment

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Besides the age-old racial controversy within American borders, there are hints of linguistic racism as well in NASCAR. Daniel Suarez is the foremost victim of that, as the Mexican-born driver is one of the few bilingual drivers in the sport. In 2018, a racist fan posted a hurtful comment about the Trackhouse driver, asking him to learn English.

But Bob Pockrass posted a hilarious comeback to this. He tweeted: “Suarez knows English. I serve as many readers as possible. So I asked him to speak Spanish for ESPN readers and his fans who speak Spanish. And I will continue to do it every time. And, oh by the way:” He followed up with a link to Disney World’s main page, mocking the fan’s maturity level.

As fans keep opining, even the big names in NASCAR like Rick Hendrick are supporting the African American drivers. Earlier this year, HendrickCars.com signed on to sponsor the 21-year-old Rajah Caruth for the entire 2024 Truck Series season. Caruth joined Wendell Scott and Bubba Wallace as the only black drivers to win at NASCAR’s national level.

And as Wendell Scott helped Bubba Wallace march into the Nationals, Wallace has been acting as Caruth’s mentor of sorts—he was among the first to get to Caruth on pit road after Caruth caused a wreck that cost him a win in the season-opening race at Daytona. With this, we hope to see more drivers from across the globe join NASCAR, and “go faster and farther in their workplaces, at the race track,” as goes the NASCAR’s diversity program.