-- WHUR 96.3 FM HOWARD UNIVERSITY RADIO --
WHUR, one of my favorite radio stations of all time while growing up in D.C. and still to this day, recently launched an on-air campaign, encouraging listeners to e-mail or fax in “Five Fast Reasons” detailing why we would like to attend the NASCAR Pennsylvania 500 Nextel Cup. This was a chance to actually go to a real live NASCAR race. Something I have been wanting to do for quite a while now.
WHUR actually formally announced its partnership with the NASCAR diversity initiative last June 2006, at the National Press Club which I read about and was quite excited to hear the news. WHUR is actually making history, becoming the first African-American radio station to participate in such an initiative. Last year they also launched thier first contest to take listeners who were fans of NASCAR. I so wanted to go last year but for whatever reasons I wasn't able to follow up in time to get a chance to go. I told myself "Next year! God willing!" ;)
So this year I went for it! And in time! ;) I filled out my "five top reasons", said a lil' prayer before I clicked "send" and hoped I would hear my name called two weeks later. On Saturday, July 21st Mr. C, host of WHUR's popular “Time Tunnel” Saturday Ole School R&B program called my name during his final hour. I was in the last group to be called! Was a brotha happy? A brotha was elated! :)
I was blessed with being one of 20 lucky listeners (a total of 40 listeners guests included) of Howard University’s WHUR 96.3 FM who won tickets to attend the NASCAR Pennsylvania 500 Nextel Cup in Pocono, Pennsylvania on Sunday, August 5th, 2007!
WHUR has become an active part of a nationwide program to increase minority participation in the United States’ largest spectator sport. The partnership has included an extensive on-air campaign with interviews of NASCAR drivers and a trip in June 2006 and August 2007 to Pocono Raceway for 40 WHUR listeners. For most of us, it was our first NASCAR experience. Thanks again, WHUR!
-- JOE GIBBS RACING (JGR) --
This unique opportunity was due in part to the station’s diversity initiative with NASCAR, Joe Gibbs Racing and Pocono International Raceway to introduce more minorities to the world of racing.
Joe Gibbs Racing (also known as JGR) is a group of NASCAR racing teams owned by Joe Gibbs, who first started racing on the NASCAR circuit in 1991. The 2007 lineup of drivers associated with Joe Gibbs Racing includes NASCAR Championship winner Tony Stewart, J. J. Yeley, and Denny Hamlin. The team is headquartered in Huntersville, North Carolina, which is near Charlotte.
-- MARC DAVIS, JOE GIBBS RACING (JGR) --
WHUR was also the primary sponsor of car #92 driven by 17-year-old Joe Gibbs Development Driver Marc Davisfor the June 2 NASCAR Busch East Series Race in South Boston, Virginia. Also WHUR will sponsor Marc Davis at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware on Friday, September 21st, 2007. Complete with a WHUR racing car and WHUR uniformed pit crew! How cool is that?
NASCAR’s initiative, the Drive for Diversity Program, helps give female and minority drivers a chance to get sponsored by established racing teams. Eight drivers and 12 crewmembers are chosen to receive help from the program for a year. Marc graduated the program last year and is now in his 2nd year of a six-year deal with Joe Gibbs Racing.
-- PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PENN 500 AT POCONO RACEWAY --
Some of the highlights of this trip for me was #1 - Hearing That I Won!, meeting the other winners who were also NASCAR Fans, the very comfortable bus ride to The Poconos with cool WHUR music and great movies handpicked by radio personality Tony Richards, Seeing The Poconos (had not seen them since a radio remote I did in 1995), The Entrance To The Stadium, Access To The Pit Stop, Meeting Joe Gibbs Racing Team President and Gibbs’ oldest son, J.D. Gibbs & The Tour of the Official Trailer. Other highlights included The Terrace Club Seats, The All You Can Eat Food Buffet, The Race, The Bus Ride Home, Riding Side by Side with the Convoy of NASCAR Trucks Taking The Drivers and Crews To Thier Next Stops, Getting Back Home at Midnight! lol! ;) Seeing this race on ESPN the next day with the complete coverage, excellent camera shots and highly interesting commentary.
-- CHRIS TUCKER --
Another highlight of this trip was the surprise appearance of seeing Chris Tucker who arrived in the Pit Stop two trailers down from us at the DLP HDTV/"Rush Hour 3" sponsored trailer. Their driver was Tony Raines in the DLP RaceCar #96. The manufacturer of Tony's car is Chevrolet. The Car Owner is Bill Saunders. The Team is Hall of Fame Racing and the Crew Chief is Brandon Thomas. Chris Tucker came by the DLP trailer for a tour as well. He was the Grand Marshall of the race and was the point man to announce the legendary "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines!" Chris was there also to promote his new movie Rush Hour 3. Here is a great article on Chris Tucker's Pocono Raceway appearance: mcall.com. Also see this great interview Chris did with NASCAR: nascar.com
-- THOUGHTS ON THE PRESENT & FUTURE STATE OF NASCAR & THE NEED TO DIVERSIFY --
There were several things that came to mind as I watched the race and observed the large crowd of Nascar fans. NASCAR truly has to diversify to achieve the next level. There needs to be more teams of color across the board. African-American, Latino, Asian, you name it. Another thing that came to mind is it's obvious that NASCAR has fans across the board of all races and nationalities so the pit crews and teams really should be reflective of that. What will it take to make more African-Americans come out to see NASCAR races? We already know people of every nationality watch it at home. Does NASCAR need a Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan of the racing world who would electrify the sport even more than it is now? Time will tell. I do applaud NASCAR's Drive For Diversity program all the way. It's a start in the right direction.
-- MANY THANKS! --
Thanks again to WHUR, NASCAR, Joe Gibbs Racing and the folks who assisted us at the Pocono Raceway! This was a chance of a lifetime and I am eternally grateful!
LT
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