by Geoffrey Bennett

Mauricia Grant
Laura Reitz, AP

Mauricia Grant, seen here working at Daytona International Speedway in 2007, is suing NASCAR for $225 million.

Mauricia Grant says she dreamed of becoming a NASCAR racing official.

"I loved it. It was a great, exciting, adrenaline-filled job where I worked with fast cars and the best drivers in the world," Grant told The Associated Press.

But the 32-year-old former technical inspector is suing the organization for $225 million, claiming she was subject to racial and sexual discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination.

Among her claims:

- Grant was forced to work outside more often than the white male officials because her supervisors believed she couldn't sunburn because she was black.

- While riding in the backseat of her car pool at Talladega Superspeedway, co-workers told her to duck as they passed race fans. "I don't want to start a riot when these fans see a black woman in my car," she claims one official said.

- When packing up a dark garage at Texas Motor Speedway an official told Grant: "Keep smiling and pop your eyes out 'cause we can't see you."

- When she ignored advances from co-workers, Grant was accused of being gay. She also claimed co-workers questioned the sexual orientation of two other female officials.

A NASCAR spokesman says the organization had not yet reviewed the suit. AOL Black Voices has more.

Given NASCAR's efforts to increase diversity among its ranks and its fanbase — including a short-lived deal with Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition — what do you think of Grant's allegations?