Mauricia Grant lawsuit against NASCAR will remain in New York

By Bob Pockrass - Associate Editor
Saturday, November 01, 2008

The Mauricia Grant sexual and racial discrimination and harassment lawsuit will remain in New York. NASCAR had requested to move the case to either North Carolina or Florida.
 
U.S. District Court Judge Deborah A. Batts ruled that because NASCAR has a marketing office in New York City, federal court in Manhattan is an appropriate venue for the case. Batts also cited the facts that Grant worked races at Watkins Glen, alleges discriminatory practices occurred while in New York and was allegedly disciplined and demoted while working in the state of New York.
 
“Courts are not required to determine the ‘best venue’ but merely a logical one with a substantial connection to the litigation,” Batts wrote.
 
Grant, who worked for the NASCAR Busch Series from 2005 through much of 2007, alleges in a $225 million lawsuit that she was fired two months after airing complaints of race and gender discrimination and harassment by series officials, including series director Joe Balash. The African-American woman details more than 50 instances of alleged racial and sexual harassment.
 
In its response to the suit, NASCAR alleges that Grant coined some of the terms she deemed offensive and that she was fired for cause. NASCAR alleges that Grant did not follow the sanctioning body’s procedures for addressing employee concerns.
 
The sides expect a trial to last two weeks but no trial date has been set.

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

NASCAR Schedules

abc

Ford 400

Homestead-Miami Speedway
03:30 PM, 11/22/2009

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.

NASCAR Community Join the Community

In the Forums View All

Presented by

Don't have an account yet?

Insiders Guide to NASCAR

Register with SceneDaily.com and get access to the following features:

  • FREE Insider’s Guide to NASCAR (available as a PDF download)
  • Daily NASCAR news updates delivered directly to your e-mail
  • Pre-race and Post-race emails delivered each race week
  • Ability to comment on blog and news articles
  • Information on new website features and upcoming contests
Create my Account

Login

Forgot Password?
Login or Create an Account