Díaz: Almirola reflects changing face of NASCAR
Success of Almirola, other minorities critical to NASCAR
Sport needs Aric Almirola, who won the Coke Zero 400, and other minorities to succeed.
NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity often has looked like a rubber-necking logjam along the interstate: A slowride. But the pace to make NASCAR more inclusive for all fans is picking up briskly in 2014.
Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. is eighth in the Camping World Truck Series standings, including a victory in Madison, Ill., in June.
And Aric Almirola is the latest driver to tackle and tame the wild beast known asDaytona International Speedway, winning the rain-shortened crash-fest otherwise known as the Coke Zero 400 on Sunday.
A black kid and a guy of Cuban descent? Who knew?
NASCAR might never be a melting pot of diversity. But like all businesses, it continues to evolve. Its Drive for Diversity program, established in 2004, nowincludesWallace, a 2010 grad, and Almirola, who did his thing for a similar program established by Joe Gibbs Racing with former athletes Reggie White andMagic Johnson.
Kyle Larson, a graduate of the 2012 class whose mother is Japanese-American, is also among the rising mix of stars.
Their success is critical toNASCAR. Nielsen’s 2013 Year in SportsMedia Report listsNASCAR as having the highest share of whites (94 percent) among its average TV audience.
Thatwon’twork moving forward.
So whether they like doing this pioneer stuff or not, congrats to Almirola, Wallace and Larson.
“I’m extremely proud of my past to get to where I’m at,” Almirola said by phone Tuesday during a break from testing in Richmond, Va. “The neat thing for me is to look back atmy career when Iwas 8 racing gokarts. My grandfather would takeme toDaytona to go racing for aweek. I used to dream of what it would be like to race on the big track.
“Iwas doing what normal kids do and dreaming really big.”
Almirola, 30, has grown up to enjoy the spoils of all that hardwork, including a ride with Richard Petty Motorsports and a likely spot in the Chase for the Cup.
But the diversity thing is still awork in progress for him.
The ability to speak Spanish fluently remains on his to-do list.
“To be honest, to take time to learn Spanish is like taking on a second job,” said Almirola, who speaks with a touch of a Southern drawl. “All this racing is literally nonstop, all year long. Last month I was home for only six days. It’s really hard to focus on anything.
“Iwould love to learn Spanish. I amextremely proud ofmy roots. My family is very fluent. But what paysmy bills is driving race cars and winning races.”
Check. Muy bueno, Senor Almirola.