Legal group files federal civil rights complaint against NASCAR for racial discrimination over 'diversity' programs​

Racing organization NASCAR has been handed a federal civil rights complaint on the grounds of racial and sexual discrimination months after the company was revealed to offer certain programs based on gender or ethnic background.

The complaint was filed by America First Legal, a legal group led by former senior adviser to President Trump Stephen Miller.

"America First Legal’s (AFL) Center for Legal Equality filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against NASCAR and Rev Racing, LLC. for illegal racial and sex discrimination," a press release stated.

"NASCAR and Rev Racing jointly operate a series of programs in violation of Title VII," it added.

In August 2023, Blaze News reported that NASCAR had a series of diversity-driven programs that asked for applicants specifically of certain races or who were female.

These included the "NASCAR Supplier Diversity" (archive), which said it ensures "equitable opportunities to participate in NASCAR’s supply chain."

Applicants are only eligible if they have "Minority-owned businesses (Black or African American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Latinx or Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander)" or a female-owned business or are from an "LGBT-owned" business.

The racing league also implemented a Pit Crew Development Program that was previously available only to "aspiring minority and female pit crew members," as well as a Driver Development Program that was open to "talented, young, up-and-coming minority and female drivers and pit crew athletes" only.

NASCAR has since removed the gender- and race-specific language in favor of preferring candidates from "diverse backgrounds and experiences."

However, America First Legal provided an original version of one the posts on its website.

In addition, NASCAR had also sported a paid internship program that required applicants to be "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."

The potentially discriminatory language was also removed from that posting; however, the original version still exists on the Daily Wire's website.

"NASCAR, in partnership with Rev Racing, has created programs for the benefit of individuals based explicitly on their sex and race. This illegal activity should not permitted to continue," said Nick Barry of America First Legal. "NASCAR shouldn’t be picking drivers based on their race and sex but on their ability to drive. All racial discrimination is wrong, even if it is the in-vogue ‘social justice’ cause of the day."

NASCAR Digital responded to a previous request for comment from Blaze News but only noted that questions would be forwarded "to the appropriate department." No further correspondence has been provided.

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