Roush Racing will place Morty Buckles, a black driver, in a Late Model car this season as part of the NASCAR team’s diversity program. Roush Racing and Joe Gibbs Racing each are starting driver diversity programs this season at the Late Model level. NASCAR also is starting a driver diversity program. NASCAR’s program is expected to put five minority drivers with Late Model teams that compete in the Dodge Weekly Series in the Southeast. NASCAR is expected to place six minority crew members on Craftsman Truck Series teams. Those announcements are expected to be made next month. Buckles, a resident of Stone Mountain, Ga., has competed in the Late Model series and served as an instructor for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. He’s scheduled to compete this season at Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va., and Southampton Motor Speedway in Capron, Va., said Sam Belnavis, chief diversity officer for Roush Racing. Joe Gibbs Racing announced last month that Chris Bristol, who is black, and Aric Almirola, who is Hispanic, will drive for its Late Model teams this season in North Carolina.(Roanoke Times)(2-26-2004)
