Michael Cherry

STOP THE CHERRY PICKING

Drive for Diversity ‘a good program’ according to Michael Cherry

JW Martin

Everyone’s a critic. When it comes to racing, some criticize race tracks, race events or racecar drivers. Others criticize race relations.

One such critic of NASCAR’s race relations is North Carolina freelance writer Melba Newsome. An article found in the waning pages of the February 2008 edition of the Condé Nast Portfolio entitled ‘NASCAR’s Race Problem’ emphasizes the lack of diversity in the sport. Newsome criticizes NASCAR in her six page column, citing NASCAR as an “intolerant backwoods sport” and that for all its prestige and power, NASCAR’s race problem is unnervingly substantial.

Newsome’s credentials as a NASCAR authority unknown, her article is a representation of the uprising of good-willed activist ambassadors protesting a predominantly Caucasian sport lacking a version of Tiger Woods. There cry for justice, aimed at what Newsome calls the “worst kept secret in the business,” is sparking an upheaval of criticism towards NASCAR.

And it isn’t only coming from Newsome. Several in the realm of media these days point the finger at NASCAR for not keeping up with the other American sports in terms of diversity. After all, the MLB has David Ortiz, golf has Woods, and the IRL has the sultry Danica Patrick, and all are highly popular. In this regard-on the surface at least-NASCAR appears to be off the pace.

As the sport has become increasingly cosmopolitan, any problem areas left become magnified. In 2004, NASCAR took measures to stamp out the diversity problem by implementing the Drive for Diversity program.

Aimed at developing minority –as well as female- drivers and crewmembers, the D4D program was established in 2004 by Access Marketing and Communications. The hope was to generate and foster interest among minorities that had potential by developing their skills in a particular profession in the sport.

But the program isn’t for just anybody. Resumes are thoroughly checked by NASCAR, and accepted drivers are invited to the annual Testing and Evaluation Combine where NASCAR teams make their assessments of the candidates. In other words, no one gets a free ride.

In her article, Newsome highlights Drive for Diversity, giving her take on the program.

“Off the record, most call [Drive for Diversity] a sham- an underfunded shillfest that has killed more careers than it has made, angering whites while alienating the very minorities it’s meant to encourage,” Newsome writes.

Since its inception, however, Drive for Diversity has furthered over 35 careers, including the eight minority drivers on the 2008 roster.

One of those drivers is Michael Cherry.

Racing the complete schedule at Motor Mile Speedway this season for FDJ Motorsports, Cherry will be competing at the Late Model level, wheeling the number 34 Chevrolet. And he has the Drive for Diversity program to thank.

At only 18, Cherry has had a storybook career. What started in BMX racing in his home state of Florida evolved into seat time piloting Street Stock, Limited Sportsman and Limited Late Model racecars across the east coast. After winning the Sportsman Division Championship in 2007 at Hendry County Speedway with 17 wins, Cherry was invited to the Drive for Diversity Testing and Evaluation Combine in October of the same year.

It was Cherry’s second appearance at the combine. Held at South Boston Speedway, the combine is a two day event that tests drivers’ skills on the track and in front of the camera.

Strapped inside a Camping World Series stock car, participants compete in on-track assessments that include qualifying trials and intermediate runs. Outside the cockpit drivers are evaluated based on their public relations persona, including mock-interview sessions.

Twenty-four drivers representing fourteen states and Mexico competed at South Boston last October, and eight were chosen by D4D affiliated teams to compete in either the Camping World or Whelen All American Series.

“It just came out of nowhere,” Cherry recalls. “They called me up one day and told me I had a ride, I didn’t know who with or whatnot, but it turned out to be a great team.”

The phone call was from Drive for Diversity, and the team looking to put Cherry in their seat was FDJ Motorsports.

With his talent and official backing for one season from the D4D program, Cherry has the biggest opportunity in his short racing career to date. And while the 18- year-old African-American admits he still finds racial tension from “some people out there,” he believes that the Drive for Diversity program has helped bridge that gap.

And asked his opinion of Newsome’s quote on Drive for Diversity;

“I don’t know who wrote that, I mean, it’s helped me out so far. I’ve made it to this level.”

Contrary to some, Cherry feels Drive for Diversity is “a really good program.”

And why not? In just four years the young organization has fostered dozens of careers that may have stagnated otherwise. Cherry’s testimony, along with other upcoming minority stars’ stories like Jesus Hernandez and Marc Davis show the program is working.

A 500 mile race isn’t won on the first lap. Likewise, drivers in the D4D program won’t land seats in the cup series right out of the gate. But through the consistency of D4D and the development of talent in the drivers it produces, NASCAR will begin to see the results of the program in the coming years. So to the critics of Drive for Diversity-give it a chance, and stop the cherry picking.

Written opinions are solely those of the writer