NASCAR Settles Grant Lawsuit

NASCAR has settled the $225 million racial discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former Nationwide Series official Mauricia Grant, following a mediation session in New York City on December 3. Terms of the settlement were confidential, and neither side has admitted liability or wrongdoing. All parties have agreed not to discuss the case in the future.

Grant, who is black, worked as a NASCAR Nationwide Series technical inspector from January of 2005 until her firing in October of 2007. NASCAR later said she was terminated after repeated incidents of lateness, and a pair of incidents involving a Michigan track security guard and a fellow official.

She filed suit in June of this year, alleging 23 incidents of sexual harassment and 34 incidents of racial and gender discrimination. NASCAR investigated her claims and ultimately fired two officials accused in the suit of exposing themselves to Grant, though the sanctioning body has never disclosed specific reasons for their dismissal. A third official was fired in April for what NASCAR said were unrelated reasons.

NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said of the agreement, "We're glad to have the case settled on mutually acceptable terms. NASCAR remains dedicated to maintaining a professional work environment for all employees at all times.” Grant's attorney did not immediately comment on the settlement.