General Discussion » Toyota recall includes 3.8 million cars sold in the USA
November 2, 2009 General Motors is recalling all models because of a problem with plastic supply and return ports on the modular reservoir assembly. The ...
Brian France: Don't jump to conclusions over former official's lawsuit
By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Brian France
Chris Graythen
Getty Images
SPARTA, Ky. – NASCAR Chairman Brian France would not talk about why Mauricia Grant was fired and asked people not to jump to conclusions over the allegations listed in her $225 million sexual and racial discrimination lawsuit against NASCAR.
France confirmed that two Nationwide Series officials had been put on administrative leave as a result of the ongoing internal investigation sparked by the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in New York City.
Grant's allegations include being nicknamed “Nappy Headed Mo” by one official, being asked by Busch Series director Joe Balash if her exercise program “include an urban obstacle course with a flat-screen TV on your back,” being singled out as being on “Colored People Time” and having other officials use the N-word in reference to her.
The 32-year-old Grant, who worked for the Nationwide Series for about three years before being fired in October 2007, alleges that co-workers asked her to expose her breasts to them and also had co-workers expose their genitals in two separate instances.
“We will deal with the conclusions of the facts when we get them,” France said in talking to reporters at Michigan International Speedway, site of the Sprint Cup Series race Sunday. “Knowing what I know now, and not to compromise the investigation at all and I’m not going to do that, I can tell you not to jump to conclusions about what a lawsuit attempts to say in an attempt to create some monetary reward for themselves.
“We’ve been down this road before and usually the facts are something different than the lawsuit. We will just have to let the facts come out as they will.”
France would not speculate on whether NASCAR would settle with Grant.
“We can’t comment on the developments of the litigation,” he said. “We’ll deal with that within the court system.”
Calling Grant’s allegations “completely inconsistent” with anything going on in NASCAR, France said the company is reaching out to be more diverse. He also said he is satisfied with NASCAR’s internal policies for reporting complaints in the workplace.
France also reiterated that the allegations were never reported to anyone in authority in NASCAR.
“So far [our investigation shows] she just didn’t report anything to anybody,” France said. “Quite the opposite. She was very pleased with her colleagues. Most of the comments we heard she liked her job. … We have just not found anyone that reported the claim.”
The investigation currently is centered on the Nationwide Series and not the Sprint Cup nor the Craftsman Truck Series officials.
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
Popular News
-
Championship battle may not be tight, but Chase still has some intrigue
Comments (79) -
Kyle Busch would consider Nationwide title his biggest achievement in NASCAR
Comments (70) -
Denny Hamlin vows to retaliate against Brad Keselowski
Comments (70) -
Jeff Gluck: Brad Keselowski's aggressive style should be embraced, not criticized
Comments (53) -
Jimmie Johnson's Texas trouble reignites NASCAR Sprint Cup championship battle
Comments (48)
Recent Headlines
-
Kevin Harvick, Ron Hornaday cap off championship year for KHI
Post Comment -
Roush Fenway Racing's Carl Edwards spins, leads final Nationwide practice
Post Comment -
Colin Braun wins Truck pole for season finale
Post Comment -
Denny Hamlin to have minor knee surgery Wednesday
Comments (1) -
Jimmie Johnson snags pole for Ford 400 at Homestead
Comments (9)
Poll PositionView All
Which has been most detrimental to NASCAR television ratings and attendance this season?
Promotions
-
Play "WIX Filters' Pick 3" stock car fantasy and win prizes. Season 2 is now in session!
-
Tweet your thoughts about each race and join the conversation with other fans.
-
Drive an authentic NASCAR Sprint Cup car at the NASCAR Racing Experience.
-
Make weekly pics for the Chase and be entered to win weekly SPEED Merchandise.
