Brehanna Daniels made history as the first African-American woman to pit a car in one of the sport’s national series races. When you think of NASCAR, the last thing you probably think of is black women. However, people like Daniels and driver Bubba Wallace are changing the game and driving diversity in the sport. 

Daniels, a former Norfolk State University alumna and basketball player, explained on ESPN’s Outside The Lines how she became a NASCAR pit crew member and her hope to change the status quo.

“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.”

Working on the No. 55 Toyota team in the second-tier XFINITY Series, the 24-year-old's most recent race was Saturday’s Rinnai 250.

Daniels joined the prestigious NASCAR ranks via its Drive For Diversity programs which encourage women and minorities to get involved.

“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,” said Daniels to NBC. “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.”

Congrats, Brehanna, you're black history personified!

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