Like thoroughbred jockeys, auto racing drivers were a much more diverse group of people at the turn of the century. Like many other jobs that were considered entertaining, yet dangerous, jockeys and car racers were often black because the jobs were not considered “honorable.”
Well, the money got larger, the prestige got bigger, and next thing you know, black jockeys could only shovel out horse stalls and black people became total strangers to automobile racing.
Today, there are more women jockeys than African-American jockeys, and a black person has not won a major race in auto racing in decades.
This is why the work of Ervin “Magic” Johnson and other black entrepreneurs to bring a black-owned team and drivers to NASCAR is admirable.
More than 200,000 people cheered in unison as Danica Patrick took the lead late in last Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 and tried to will her to win.
While the fan reaction to a black man or woman leading a Nextel NASCAR event in the late stages might be different (also, the good ole boys would try to purposely wreck that driver), the attention from the national and international media would rival that of Patrick at Indy.
That could only mean good things for African Americans as they strive to reach success in all fields. Patrick gives young women confidence to succeed in so many occupations other than auto racing. The same would be true if and when a black driver challenges for the win in a Nextel NASCAR race.