IndyCar, IMS Launch Race and Equality Initiative
'Race for Equality & Change' features a $1 million investment in a series of efforts
Posted On: July 6, 2020 By :IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway have launched the “Race for Equality & Change,” a move to support diversity and inclusivity across the racing series and the IndyCar industry. A key component of the effort will be a $1 million fund to fuel internal and external programs and initiatives aimed at creating fundamental change.
“As our country has grappled with systemic issues related to race, equality and access to opportunity, we’ve been doing a lot of listening, learning and reflecting,” Penske Entertainment Corp. President and CEO Mark Miles said. “‘Race for Equality & Change’ will create a more diverse and inclusive INDYCAR community that fundamentally transforms our sport.”
As part of the announcement, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway pylon was lit up with a special “Race for Equality & Change” message during the NTT IndyCar Series GMR Grand Prix held over the July 4 weekend on the track’s road course.
Components of the “Race for Equality & Change” include:
- Recruiting and developing a diverse workforce throughout all levels of IndyCar and IMS
- Diversifying the competitive driver field at the grassroots, Road to Indy and NTT IndyCar Series levels
- Supporting impactful grass-roots youth motorsports programs, including enhancing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s longstanding partnership with Nexgeneracers, a 501(c)3 that introduces minority students to the world of motorsports
- Diversifying employment, leadership and ownership within the series and with IndyCar promoters
- Investment in minority communities to encourage greater engagement with IndyCar and IMS
- Establishing a procurement program to meaningfully increase the number of minority-owned businesses that contract with IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway each year