INDIANAPOLIS — A major effort to support diversity and inclusion in racing was announced on Saturday by IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during the GMR Grand Prix.
They're calling it the "Race for Equality & Change." The new initiative has several focuses, but the most significant one is the creation of a $1 million fund that will fuel internal and external programs for "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," Mark Miles, Penske Entertainment Corp. president and CEO, said. "'Race for Equality & Change' will create a more diverse and inclusive INDYCAR community that fundamentally transforms our sport."
According to IndyCar and IMS, the critical pillars 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 grassroots youth motorsports programs, including enhancing the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's longstanding partnership with Nexgeneracers, a 501c3 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
