Both black and white conservatives are calling for NASCAR to end its relationship with its most unlikely of partners: the Rev. Jesse Jackson and his Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. It’s a difficult spot for NASCAR, which is trying to diversify its fan base but doesn’t want to alienate its traditional supporters, who tend to be politically conservative. Headed by the staunchly Republican France family, NASCAR has also given $250,000 to the Citizenship Education Fund, an arm of Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. The group says it has used the money to boost minority participation within motor sports. But critics — including a network of black conservatives — accuse Jackson of intimidating NASCAR into giving him money to keep him from making a public fuss about the lack of minorities in motor sports. See full story at the Orlando Sentinel .(7-5-2003)
