UPDATE: Earvin “Magic” Johnson to Play Leading Role in NASCAR Diversity Efforts:
NASCAR announced that Earvin “Magic” Johnson will serve as co-chairman to the newly-created Executive Steering Committee for Diversity. Johnson, the NBA legend and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, will be active in a number of areas related to diversifying NASCAR’s fan base, participants and work force. Johnson is known universally for his illustrious 13-year professional NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, but he has re-defined himself as a successful businessman. The Magic Johnson brand has become one of the most expansive and successful business networks in the country. The brand stimulates economic growth and development through education, community enrichment and franchise development. Magic Johnson Enterprises is responsible for the direction and expansion of the Magic Johnson brand. The team oversees marketing and other business opportunities for the brand including endorsements, licensing and speaking engagements. Johnson also heads Johnson Development Corporation and Magic Johnson Entertainment.
Specifically, Johnson will:
* Help complete selection of the Executive Steering Committee for Diversity
* Assist NASCAR with creating grassroots programs such as Drive for Diversity that identify and develop African American, Hispanic and women drivers and crew members
* Help NASCAR develop marketing programs that will increase the sport’s visibility in urban communities and raise awareness of career and competitive opportunities in motorsports
* Serve as an advisor to NASCAR Chief Operating Officer George Pyne who has day-to-day operational responsibilities for all aspects of diversity in NASCAR
NASCAR also announced the successful launch and funding for the 2004 Drive for Diversity program managed by Access Communications. The Drive for Diversity program seeks to identify and select minority and women drivers and crew members to compete in NASCAR sanctioned races. Already, Drive for Diversity has five drivers and six crew members competing in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series respectively. The drivers and crew members were selected as a result of their outstanding performance during a competition “combine” held last January in Hickory, N.C.
The driver program includes: Morty Buckles drives for the Belnavis Racing sponsored by the National Guard and Domino’s; Allison Duncan drives for BH Motorsports sponsored by Sunoco/Miller Brewing and Domino’s; Joe Henderson drives for Bobby Hamilton Racing sponsored by Kodak and Domino’s; Reggie Primus drives for Innovative Motorsports sponsored by Lowe’s and Domino’s; and, Bruce Driver drives for SCORE Motorsports sponsored by MBNA/Centrix and Domino’s.(NASCAR PR) See the fill PR and quotes on my Racing Schools/Jobs page.
WIND TUNNEL: NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be SPEED Channel’s guest on tonight’s Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain at 10:00pm/et. NASCAR today announced that Johnson will serve as co-chairman to the newly-created Executive Steering Committee for Diversity. Johnson, the CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, will be active in a number of areas related to diversifying NASCAR’s fan base, participants and work force. In 2004, SPEED Channel is the exclusive U.S. cable home for many of the top motor sports series in the world. In addition, SPEED’s weekly programming schedule brings car enthusiast television to Prime Time Monday through Thursday. Now available in more the 65 million homes in North America, SPEED Channel is among the fastest growing sports cable networks in the country and the home to NASCAR TV.(Speed Channel)(5-20-2004)