Diversity in sports
FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2012, file photo, Mario Andretti, left, talks to Willy T. Ribbs before the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. IndyCar is making an improved push to diversify its fanbase and its driving field. Ribbs and George Mack are the only two drivers to ever start an Indianapolis 500. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
IndyCar courts Black fans, drivers in its push to diversify

By Dan Gelston May. 28, 2021 03:22 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2012, file photo, Mario Andretti, left, talks to Willy T. Ribbs before the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix auto race at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. IndyCar is making an improved push to diversify its fanbase and its driving field. Ribbs and George Mack are the only two drivers to ever start an Indianapolis 500. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
IndyCar courts Black fans, drivers in its push to diversify

By Dan Gelston May. 28, 2021 03:22 AM EDT

Simona De Silvestro of Switzerland, left, consoles Charlie Kimball after he failed to make the field during the last row qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Sunday, May 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Who's the boss? At Indy 500, women play large role at IMS

By Dan Gelston May. 27, 2021 02:52 PM EDT

Daniel Suarez (99) and Kyle Larson (5) race through Turn 4 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Phoenix Raceway, Sunday, March 14, 2021, in Avondale, Ariz. Suarez was a guest analyst on Fox Sports for Saturday's Xfinity race. Suarez is the first Mexican analyst used in the broadcast of a NASCAR national series race and called a lap in his native Spanish. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
Column: Suarez makes historical mark for himself, NASCAR

By Jenna Fryer Mar. 15, 2021 06:19 PM EDT

Fans hold up three fingers during a lap three tribute honoring the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr., during the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Dale Earnhardt, Sr., the all-time winner at Daytona, was killed in a fatal car crash at the speedway 20-years ago today. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Column: NASCAR's flag ban opens sport to diverse new crowd

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 23, 2021 05:25 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2019, file photo, team owner Rick Hendrick laughs on pit road during qualifying for the Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Kyle Larson was banished from NASCAR for all but the first month of his last season, his punishment for using a racial slur while racing online. Rick Hendrick felt the driver paid his penalty and deserved a second chance, one that begins with the season-opening Daytona 500. (AP Photo/Terry Renna, File)
Larson grateful for 2nd chance in NASCAR after racial slur

By Jenna Fryer Feb. 08, 2021 04:51 PM EST

Mercedes drivers Valtteri Bottas of Finland, left and Lewis Hamilton of Britain attend a news conference at the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack in Istanbul, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020, ahead of the Formula One Turkish Grand Prix that will take place on Sunday. (Antonin Vincent/Pool via AP)
All-female W Series to feature at 8 F1 races next season

By Jerome Pugmire Nov. 12, 2020 06:49 AM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Bubba Wallace gets ready to enter his car for qualifying rounds before a NASCAR Xfinity Series auto race in Dover, Del. Denny Hamlin is starting his own race car team in partnership with Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan and Wallace as the driver. (AP Photo/Brien Aho, File)
Hamlin, Michael Jordan partner on NASCAR team for Wallace

By Jenna Fryer Sep. 21, 2020 10:15 PM EDT

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain participates in a media conference prior to the Formula One Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack in Spa, Belgium Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020. (Florent Gooden, Pool via AP)
NASCAR races, Wallace says fight for racial equality goes on

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 28, 2020 02:40 PM EDT

In this July 7, 2020 photo provided by NASCAR, Rajah Caruth competes in the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. The sport has renewed optimism that its diversity program can field a bumper crop of promising prospects. Caruth might the one who can help lead the way. (NASCAR photo via (AP)
NASCAR banks on minority drivers to broaden sport's exposure

By Dan Gelston Jul. 28, 2020 02:06 AM EDT

FILE - In this June 22, 2020, file photo, team owner Richard Petty, right, stands next to driver Bubba Wallace during the national anthem prior to the start of the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. NASCAR is ready to embrace all genders, ethnicities and backgrounds as moves ahead in its push for racial diversity. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
'Yes we exist' - Black fans eye NASCAR's work to diversify

By Dan Gelston Jul. 17, 2020 02:20 AM EDT

Bubba Wallace stands for the National Anthem before the start of a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, July 12, 2020, in Sparta, Ky. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Column: Wallace deserves a slot in NASCAR's All-Star race

By Jenna Fryer Jul. 13, 2020 03:07 PM EDT

This photo provided by NASCAR shows the noose found in the garage stall of Black driver Bubba Wallace at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., on Sunday, June 21, 2020. The discovery prompted a federal investigation that determined the rope had been there since at least last October. (NASCAR via AP)
NASCAR meets with minister pushing for racial equality

By Dan Gelston Jul. 02, 2020 04:49 PM EDT

Mercedes to race in all-black cars for Formula One season

Jun. 29, 2020 10:05 AM EDT
BRACKLEY, England (AP) — Mercedes announced Monday that it will race in all-black cars for the 2020 Formula One season as it pledges to fight racism and...

Ryan Blaney (12) celebrates after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega Ala., Monday, June 22, 2020. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
NASCAR hopes new fans join the sport in push for equality

By Dan Gelston Jun. 25, 2020 04:36 PM EDT