WHUR 96.3 FM Going the Extra Mile with
NASCAR’s Diversity Campaign

Marc Davis, with his car sponsored by WHUR, and Jim Watkins, general manager, WHUR Photo: Teria Rogers

This season there are some new faces on the NASCAR racetracks. WHUR 96.3 FM is the proud sponsor of a young African-American driver and the radio station is working to build a local fan base among its listeners.

As part of efforts to diversify the sport, a NASCAR initiative, the Drive for Diversity Program, helps female and minority drivers receive sponsorship from established racing teams. This year, eight drivers and 12 crewmembers were chosen to receive help from the program for one year.

WHUR is the primary sponsor of car #92 driven by 17-year-old, Silver Spring, Md., native Marc Davis, who is a Joe Gibbs Development Driver. Now in his second year of a six-year deal with Joe Gibbs Racing, Davis has garnered a great deal of support from WHUR staff and listeners who have traveled to his races in the local area. They will be cheering Davis on at his next race at Dover International Speedway in Delaware on Sept. 21.

WHUR personalities Taylor Thomas (left) and Tony Richards (right) with actor/comedian Chris Tucker (center) who served as Grand Marshall of the Pennsylvania 500.

“We are excited about the opportunity to be a part of this latest initiative with NASCAR and Joe Gibbs Racing to bring the nation’s largest spectator sport to an even wider audience of African Americans,” says WHUR General Manager Jim Watkins, an avid NASCAR fan.

On August 5, 40 lucky WHUR listeners traveled to the NASCAR 500 Nextel Cup in Pocono, Penn. (Davis was not a driver in this particular race.) The station asked listeners to e-mail or fax in “Five Fast Reasons” why they would like to attend the Pocono race and Carroll “Mr. C.” Hynson announced the winners Saturday, July 28, during WHUR’s popular “Time Tunnel” program.

“What we have learned over the past year is that NASCAR has rolled out the welcome mat to usher in a new segment of fans and drivers. We are answering that call by helping to spread the word about the shear fun, excitement, and more importantly opportunities waiting for African-Americans with NASCAR,” says Watkins.