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CHARLOTTE, NC - MAY 26: NASCAR Drive for Diversity Pit Crew National Combinee participant Brehanna Daniels speaks to the press during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 27, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Blaine Ohigashi/Getty Images)
Brehanna Daniels made history last season when she became the first African-American female to pit a car in NASCAR.
Daniels is on the crew for the No. 55 team in the Xfinity Series, and she said via NBC News she wants to change the stereotypes surrounding NASCAR. The sport isn't very diverse, and Daniels wants fans to see it as more than just a "white, redneck sport."
"I'm so thankful to be a part of this program that celebrates diversity; to be in a position where other little brown girls, and all girls, can see me doing this and know that they can do anything they want in life," Daniels said. "We want to change the stereotype that NASCAR is just a white, 'redneck sport' Who wants to think of just one race? We want everyone to see, multiple races and multiples faces in NASCAR."
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Daniels appeared on ESPN's Outside The Lines where she said those considering following her footsteps should follow their hearts if that's what they want to achieve.
"I would just tell everyone out there to just follow your heart," she said via For The Win. "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."
Brehanna Daniels is making @NASCAR history. pic.twitter.com/hihi10TlrH
— Outside The Lines (@OTLonESPN) February 27, 2018
While Daniels is making history as a pit crew member, Bubba Wallace is making history as the first full-time African-American Cup Series driver in several decades.
Daniel Suarez, who is from Mexico, is in his second season in the Cup Series.
NASCAR is growing to be more diverse than it has been in the past, which is a great sign for the sport moving forward. If Wallace, Suarez and Daniels continue to be successful, it will pave the way for more diversity in the sport in the future.
About the author: Cole Frederick
Cole Frederick is from a small town in Alabama, and he graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in journalism. He loves all sports - especially football and basketball - and quotes The Office frequently.