Delving Into That Creepy NASCAR Discrimination Case

Pretty sure we haven't mentioned that whole NASCAR $225 million racial/sexual discrimination lawsuit around these parts, perhaps because it appears to be so bad that Jason Whitlock said, "We owe Isiah Thomas and Sean Salisbury an apology." I'm not sure if I'd go that far, but if you haven't seen the PDF chock full of specific horror stories — the least of which includes her co-workers repeatedly flashing their crankshafts at her — you need to do yourself a favor.

Mauricia Grant, a former NASCAR official who was fired because of either "poor job performance" or "being a black woman" depending on who you ask, details 80 or so specific instances. So let's go through some of the more bizarre ones:

60. During approximately the week of April 8, 2006 while working the Texas Motor Speedway, Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT overheard Official Carl Simmons mention to Official Dennis Dillard his seeing a car hood ornament resembling Fred Flinstone. When Carl Simmons responded that he could not remember the hood, Official Dennis Dillard replied: “Which hood, your Klan hood?” The group of White Officials laughed except Carl Simmons, who turned red and looked suspiciously guilty.

I ... don't get it.

72. On or about November 30, 2006, White Official Shaun Johnson sent Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT an email entitled “International Disadvantaged People’s Day” which read:

Today is International Disadvantaged People’s Day. Please send an encouraging message to a retarded friend, just as I’ve Done. (sic) I don’t care if you lick windows, interfere with farm animals, vote Liberal or occasionally shit yourself........ You hang in there Sunshine, You’re fucking special...

I'm pretty sure Brian Bellows got that same e-mail.

86. On or about November 21, 2007, Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT received a text message from White Official David Duke which read:

I love all Yall mofos i am that nigga HAHAHA Holla PIMPALICIOUS

Plaintiff was offended.

Well, there's your first problem. You have an official named David Duke.

103. On or about the week of March 18, 2006, while they were working the Atlanta Motor Speedway race in Georgia, Official Mike Wilford held in front of Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT some loose diamonds and rubies he was carrying, and suggested that the jewels were hers if she would agree to be his mistress. Plaintiff was disgusted. Officials Mike Weddle and Rick Noble were present, and laughed hysterically.

Who the hell carries rubies these days? Did NASCAR expand to Persia while I wasn't looking?

111. On or about the week of March 10, 2007 while working at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NASCAR Busch Series Assistant Director Mike Dolan repeatedly made jokes to Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT to the effect: “Mo, if any of these guys try getting in your pants, you let them know you already have one asshole in there, that’s enough for today.” Dolan made jokes along this line to Plaintiff approximately daily through the remainder of her employment.

Amidst all the dick flashing and vulgar racist/sexist jokes unfairly thrown her way, this one just adds to the humiliation. I'll admit that much. And I'm not defending those actions at all, but as a standalone line, that's actually a pretty good rebuttal.

112. On or about the week of April 14, 2007 while in Texas working at the Texas Motor Speedway, NASCAR Busch Series Assistant Director Mike Dolan approached Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT while he was eating an ice cream sandwich. Mr. Dolan commenced licking the cream in a lewd manner, insinuating that the chocolate cake was a vagina and he was performing oral sex. While doing this, Mr. Dolan stared at Plaintiff and raised his eyebrows suggestively. Plaintiff MAURICIA GRANT was repulsed.

Welp, I'm off frozen desserts forever.

But no, seriously. If a fraction of this crap is true, then it's high time to either discipline/fire some of the most egregious racially discriminatory offenders, or at the very least ensure that the people keep the stereotypes to themselves. And you know what, it might sound crazy, but the female officials just might need their own locker rooms. If for no other reason:

139. [...] On one occasion Plaintiff was admonished for arriving approximately 20 minutes late to a morning meeting after her carpool arrived at the track late and she had to use the bathroom before the meeting. Plaintiff had previously explained to NASCAR Busch Series Assistant Director Mike Dolan that she had an extremely heavy menses which sometimes forced her to spend extra time in the restroom. Because female Officials were not provided separate locker rooms from the men, and because the men refused to leave the locker room when women came in, it was often difficult for Plaintiff to get to the meetings early.

Jesus. You'd think those guys, after hearing that explanation, didn't offer up the entire locker room to the women and volunteer themselves to use the Arby's across the street for the rest of the week.

But do yourself a favor and read the entire PDF. It's rather disturbing, and definitely makes what we write in the Deadspin comments look a lot more wholesome.

NASCAR Harassment Suit May Prove Costly [FOX Sports] Mauricia Grant v. NASCAR (PDF)