SPECIAL EVENT (DAYTONA) - NASCAR COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY PROGRAM GOING FORWARD...

NASCAR: Diversity

Right now, the NASCAR Nation is a community of 75 million strong. And today, more than ever, people from all backgrounds and walks of life are being encouraged to Get In™ and join that community.

In the year 2000, NASCAR established the NASCAR Diversity Council, with the expressed goal of helping our sport better reflect the fabric of America. The Council gathers leaders from throughout motorsports and related industries to help promote an environment of inclusion and diversity. And, in 2004, the NASCAR Executive Steering Committee for Diversity was established, bringing together talented individuals from the world of business and racing to provide insights and best practices for fostering diversity.

I’m proud to say our efforts are starting to show positive results. Not only is our pool of drivers, crew members, team personnel and others more diverse than it’s ever been—our fan base is following a similar path, as well. At no other time has NASCAR gained the attention of more ethnically diverse communities, and we only see the trend continuing in the future.

No matter what their backgrounds, one thing has become perfectly clear to over 75 million people: the thrills and excitement of NASCAR know no boundaries. On behalf of everyone in the NASCAR Family, I invite you to see how our diversity initiatives are helping contribute to our positive growth.

Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO

NASCAR'S COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY NASCAR is an American sport with a worldwide following. NASCAR is committed to making our sport – on and off the race track – look more like America. No other issue is more important for NASCAR to succeed and to grow. NASCAR’s role in diversifying the sport is to take steps to better educate new fans about NASCAR; to provide meaningful opportunities; and to facilitate greater participation within the industry.

DIVERSITY INITIATIVES In order to better educate new fans about the sport, NASCAR has developed and is supporting several important initiatives that encourage diversity throughout the industry. In addition to these initiatives, NASCAR has internal and external diversity councils to promote diversity at all levels of the sport and create meaningful opportunities for people of all communities both on and off the track.

On Track Initiatives

Drive for Diversity Program The Drive for Diversity program, run by Access Marketing & Communications, seeks to develop diverse and female drivers and crew members. In 2006, eight drivers will participate in the Drive for Diversity Program and will drive in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series. Twelve crew members will earn jobs in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Busch Series. Much of the success of the Drive for Diversity initiative is a result of support for the program by key sponsors and involved team owners. For more information, visit www.drivefordiversity.com.

Urban Youth Racing School NASCAR supports the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS), a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia that provides inner-city youths, ages 8-18, with the opportunity to learn about motorsports. The 10-week curriculum incorporates hands-on driving, competitive driving techniques and exposure to the different career opportunities available throughout the industry.

Four UYRS students participated in an internship program at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March. The program, which was sponsored by Sears through their Craftsman brand, matched each student with a team in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The students spent time in the race shops during the week before going to Atlanta to shadow crew members in the garage.

NASCAR Mexico Earlier this season, the NASCAR Busch Series returned to the legendary Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez road course in Mexico City. The event followed last year’s successful race – NASCAR’s first ever points race in Mexico. Over 100,000 fans attended the weekend’s events for the second consecutive year.

The events are part of NASCAR Mexico, a long-term strategic venture to reestablish and strengthen the great motorsports heritage of Mexico. The goal of the venture is to grow a meaningful presence for NASCAR in Mexico and to increase the popularity of NASCAR among Mexicans living in both Mexico and the United States.

Off Track Initiatives

NASCAR Diversity Internship Program This 10-week, full-time, paid summer internship program is designed to introduce students representing minority communities to the many career opportunities within the NASCAR industry. Internships are offered by NASCAR offices, sponsors, licensees, teams, tracks and broadcast partners. Over 130 interns from across the country have participated in the program since its inception in 1999. Through their internship experiences, several of these students have earned full-time positions. More information is available at www.diversityinternships.com.

NASCAR College Tour presented by the Coca Cola Company In this joint effort, NASCAR and the Coca-Cola Company, with the support of UPS, visit Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions to build awareness about the NASCAR industry and its career opportunities. Each college tour includes a student presentation contest in which the winner receives a scholarship from NASCAR and Coca-Cola, a career panel featuring industry professionals and information on internship and career opportunities within the industry.

Supplier Diversity Program NASCAR has a supplier diversity and minority vendor program to foster a more diverse supplier base. The program invites women and minority-owned businesses to be considered equally as subcontractors and suppliers for all goods and services purchased at NASCAR. NASCAR is a member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council and is working closely with the Florida Minority Supplier Development Council to further enhance the program

National Jobs Program In a program announced in February, NASCAR will collaborate with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU’s) and the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) to increase the number and quality of job opportunities for African-American students in key racing and other related automotive business activities. A Congressional Resolution was passed supporting the NASCAR-HBCU Consortium. The U.S. Departments of Education and Labor and other appropriate agencies of the federal government will provide assistance and support to ensure the success of this effort.

Partnership with the NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI) – NTI is a partnership between NASCAR and the Universal Technical Institute, Inc., that provides training necessary to excel as an entry-level automotive service technician, with additional training provided for the skills needed to enter the motorsports industry. The school awards diversity scholarships with funding provided by UPS; some graduates have gone on to work with race teams in the industry.

NASCAR Scholarship Program - Wendell Scott Award NASCAR provides funding for scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Hispanic Serving Institutions. These scholarships help nurture new talent and raise awareness of the industry’s efforts to increase diversity and attract the best minds in America. All scholarships are given in tribute to former NASCAR driver Wendell Scott. Scott competed from 1961 to 1972, in what was then known as the Grand National Division, and became the first African-American driver/owner to win a NASCAR race with his 1964 victory in Jacksonville, Florida.

Committees and Councils In addition to developing and supporting these important initiatives that encourage diversity throughout the industry, NASCAR has a Diversity Council and an Executive Steering Committee for Diversity. The Diversity Council is comprised of representatives from throughout the NASCAR industry, while the Executive Steering Committee is made up of executives from major corporations. Both bodies work to promote diversity at all levels of the sport and create meaningful opportunities for women and ethnically diverse people both on and off the track.

Marketing Initiatives

Marketing & Consumer Awareness

In an effort to reach new fans, NASCAR continues multicultural marketing outreach with national and regional targeted marketing programs and events. Strategic sponsorships and media partnerships are also utilized to support these efforts.

In addition, NASCAR launched a multimedia campaign in 2005 promoting diversity in the NASCAR community, under the theme “Get In.” NASCAR also launched a multimedia campaign in honor of Black History Month in February 2006, highlighting the contributions of African-Americans in NASCAR history and featuring students from the Urban Youth Racing School.