Whether we’re racing forward into the future, or driving reverse into the past to learn about where we’ve come from, there’s no shortage of notable names in Black History in the automotive racing circuit. As part of our Black History Month celebrations, we’re pleased to highlight the men and women who have worked hard and proven themselves to be incredible drivers and stars of the industry.
William Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr is a 28 year old professional stock car driver who made his Cup Series Debut in 2017. He is the first full-time racer fo color in the NASCAR Cup Series since the early 1970s. In 2021, he became the second Black Driver to win the NASCAR Cup Series at Talladega Superspeedway. (Image from Forbes.)
Shauntia Latrice “Tia” Norfleet is the daughter of NASCAR driver Bobby Norfleet, and the first and only African American Woman driver to hold a NASCAR license. In addition, she is the first Black Woman to be licensed by the Automobile Racing Club of America. She made her debut in August of 2012 at the Motor Mile Speedway in Virginia. (image from thesource.com)
Cheryl Linn Glass was the first ever African American woman professional race-car driver in the US! She became a professional driver at age 18, and continued her storied career through 1991. Glass was not only a great race driver, but she was also an entrepreneur. When she wasn’t in the race circuit, she was busy running a successful fashion business, “Cheryl Glass Designs” where she created bridal and evening gowns for special occasion wear. She also ran a full catering and event planning service, as well as co-founded the Minority Engineering Retention Program at University of Washington. (Image credit The Seattle Times)
Wendell Oliver Scott was one of the earliest African American drivers in NASCAR racing, and the first African-American to win a race in the NASCAR Cup Series in 1964 (and the only one until Bubba Wallace’s recent win.) He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1999 and in 2015 he became the first African American driver to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. (Image via BBC.)
Jesse Ekene Iwuji is a full-time NASCAR stock car racing driver. He is the first active duty officer in the US Navy Reserves to compete in NASCAR. He is partnering with Emmitt Smith of NFL fame for an Xfinity Series Racing team in 2022. (Image from VFW.)
Elias Abraham Bowie Jr was the first Black driver to start in a race in the top level NASCAR series; he raced in the Grand National Race in July of 1955. It was his first and only NASCAR Cup appearance, during which he placed 28th of 34 cars on a 1-mile dirt track in San Mateo. (Image from African American Racers Association)
In 1973, Randy Bethea knocked driver Darrell Waltrip out of pole position at the Nashville Fairgrounds. In 1975, he was the fourth African-American driver to start a race for NASCAR. Bethea also qualified 39th out of 40 in the World 600, and he finished 33rd. He raced two seasons in 1991’s NASCAR Slim Jim All Pro Touring Series. (Image from Timesnews.net)
American racecar driver Dewey Gatson also known as Jack DeSoto and Rajo Jack was one of the first African American race car drivers in America. He was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2003, commemorating his notable wins in 1920s racing history. (Image from Pamplin Media Group.)
More notable names in racing history:
Willy T. Ribbs the first African American driver to qualify for the Indy 500.
Bill Lester, the first African American to race in NASCAR’S Busch Series.
Lewis Hamilton, seven time world champion F1 race driver for Mercedes.
Antron Brown, first Black American Champion in drag racing.
Morty Buckles, the first driver for NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity class.