Cosby Helps Break Indy Barrier : Racing: The comedian joins effort to field first black driver in series.

There has never been a black driver in Indy-car racing, but Willy T. Ribbs, with the help of television comedian Bill Cosby, wants to change that.

“It’s important to win, not because of color, but because we want to win races,” Cosby said in announcing that he was joining Raynor-Cosby Racing to field an Indy car for Ribbs. The team’s car will compete in the 16 CART races in 1990, including the Indianapolis 500.

Cosby asked the press not to ask Ribbs about being the first black driver in the series although he said “because of the unfairness, this young man has not had a chance.”

In auto racing, the real barrier is financial, not racial. Team manager Ray Neisewander III said Raynor-Cosby will spend $4.5 million in fielding a car next season. Cosby said a five-year deal is involved.

The announcement was vague about Cosby’s involvement with the team. Although he hinted that he was a part owner of the team, he would not admit or deny ownership of the Dixon, Ill.-based effort. Cosby, a friend of Ribbs, has joined with Raynor “to seek a sole sponsor for our new racing team,” Neisewander said.

Ribbs, 32, has been with a number of teams in 12 years of racing. He has driven mostly sports cars in both the International Motor Sports Assn. and Sports Car Club of America series. He was named Driver of the Year in the IMSA GTO category in 1987 and 1988.