Brehanna Daniels made history as she became the first African-American woman in NASCAR to pit a car during one of the sport’s national series races. This history of stock car racing is arguably very White. However, Daniels and people including driver Darrell “Bubba” Wallace, Daniel Suarez and Kyle Larson are helping to drive diversity in the sport.

Daniels became a part of the NASCAR ranks through its Drive For Diversity program as reported by Fanbuzz. The program encourages minorities and women to partake in the company. Daniels was always an athlete—she switched gears from being a Norfolk State college basketball player to a tire changer.

On Tuesday (Feb. 27), Daniels appeared on ESPN’s Outside The Lines and spoke about her desire to help change the sport. She also shared a message with other minorities who may be apprehensive about a career in NASCAR.

“I would just tell everyone out there to just follow your heart. I know, you know, just thinking about – me coming into NASCAR, I had my thoughts, you know, like of what people might think of me or I might not be accepted. But you just have to overcome those thoughts and those feelings and just do what’s in your heart and just trust the process.”

Daniels most recent race was Saturday’s Rinnai 250.

Brehanna Davis
NASCAR