About Me

I didn't start as a traditional driver, actually I'm very untraditional. I hope my story inspires and resonates with those who dream of breaking barriers and pursuing their passion, regardless of the path they come from. 

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1. What inspired you to become a race car driver, especially coming from a non-traditional background? My journey into racing began when I was little. My mom and my aunts would drive fast...everywhere. 🤣 It was almost like I grew up knowing that that was the only way to do things. FAST. I always dreamed of driving a race car. I used to want my mom to build a race track in our backyard (we lived in the country...lol) My family is full of auto mechanics and "gearheads", so as I grew up, I was always around cars and tons of them. I used to "help" my Papap (grandfather and a former drag race driver) work on cars at his house. Half the time I attempted to help and the other half of the time I used his tools as fighting weapons with my siblings and cousins. 🤣As I got older and started to drive, I would drive fast, everywhere, and often I would daydream that I was a race car driver. In the last few years, with the increasing work I've put into my family genealogy, I've discovered that my uncles raced stock cars in the 1960s. The opportunity to work on my brother-in-law's (Danny Harrell's) pit crew in 2023 paired with learning about my family's hidden legacy in racing sparked a passion in me that I couldn't ignore. It felt like a calling I had to pursue.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

2. Can you tell us about the moment you discovered your family's racing legacy and how it influenced your decision to race? The revelation about my family's racing past was a pivotal moment for me. It connected me to a heritage I hadn't known and inspired me to carve out my path in the racing world. It was like, I've been living life experiencing all of these seemingly unconnected things and then BAM!, one day you learn something about yourself that connects all the dots. Learning about my uncles made me feel like I wasn't the "only one". It made me feel like I was just another part of the "bunch" and that I had finally found where I was supposed to be.

3. How did you transition from being a member of your brother-in-law's pit crew to driving your own race car? After immersing myself in the racing culture through my brother-in-law's (Danny's) pit crew, I realized that I wanted more than just to be on the sidelines. As the season went on, it got harder and harder for me to just watch other people race. I knew that I could drive and I wanted to get on the track. Sometimes it got so hard for me to watch everyone else drive, that instead of crying, I would just ignore the race and play a game on my tablet. I felt like I was being left out of something. My drive to race grew stronger, leading me and my husband, Frank Harrell, to purchase and prepare my race car.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

4. What were the biggest challenges you faced as you prepared for your first race, and how did you overcome them? One of the biggest challenges was acquiring the technical knowledge and physical conditioning required for racing. Up until a few months before my first race, I was only focused on driving. I had only driven a stick shift twice before I got my race car and even then, I had only driven around my neighborhood. I found a local driving school that specialized in teaching people how to drive a manual. I signed up for it and learned in about 3 hours and since then, I've been wanting to practice the techniques I learned every since. Regarding physical conditioning, I learned very quickly that I was really out of shape....for any kind of sport. 😅 As Danny, Mike, and Frank were working on mounting my seat in the car, a few issues popped up. I am only 5' 3".... so yes...I'm short compared to most drivers. Needless to say, I have thick thighs and a butt...😅🤣 Normally these attributes would be amazing... until I needed to get in and out of my car through the window. 🤣🤣🤣 A challenge that I had was that my butt kept getting stuck on my seat. Not necessarily just because I have a big butt but also because my seat is so close to the steering wheel (because I'm short...smh) Also, I was finding it difficult to even get in and out of the car due to a lack of flexibility. So I decided, I need to be healthy anyway and what better time to get some new habits? I changed my diet, consulted with a nutritionist, and got a personal trainer. I began to document my weight loss journey. This not only helps me with my flexibility and endurance, but as someone who struggles with HypoThyroidism, it helps me maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. 

5. Being the first African-American female driver at your local track, what message do you hope to convey to young girls and aspiring racers? I hope my journey shows that it's possible to break barriers and pursue your dreams, no matter what. When I started racing, I was 36 years old with 2 kids and 2 businesses, and I'm a graduate student. I still do community service, participate in local business events, spend time with my family AND I'm an artist. Racing is not just for those born into it but for anyone with the passion and determination to succeed. If there's something you want to try out, DO IT! You never know what could be a hobby or a passion in life. 

6. Can you walk us through your first racing experience? What was going through your mind at the starting line? ***Idk because my first race isn't until April 6, 2024. 🤣 I'll come back to this question in May 2024. lmao

7. How do you balance your passion for racing with other aspects of your life? People ask me this all the time but about my businesses. My answer is always the same. "I DON'T KNOW" 🤣 Balancing my passion for racing with other responsibilities requires careful time management and support from my family and friends. Honestly, without them, I wouldn't be able to do half of the things I do. For me, it's very important to do things that give me freedom. Freedom of time and thought. I like having choices. So, I've been able to build businesses that allow me to have more freedom than normal which in turn allows me to pursue hobbies like racing. Racing is a big part of my life, but it's all about finding harmony between my passion and my personal life.

8. What has been your most memorable moment in your racing career so far? So far, my most memorable moment is when I got onto the track for the first time. The first few laps were scary but after a while, I noticed that I was just....doing it. I was driving. I fell into a rhythm and was able to put all the things I've learned so far into practice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

9. How do you see your racing hobby evolving in the future? Do you have any specific goals or milestones you aim to achieve?  Right now, my goals are to stay safe, keep my car in one piece, and win at least one race. Of course, over time, I want to continue improving my skills and hopefully compete in more challenging races. Another goal is to not only advance in my racing career but also to inspire and mentor upcoming drivers, especially young women. I want them to see that they don't have to just dream of highly popular NASCAR tracks. They don't have to worry about missing out on a chance to take part in this sport just because they didn't start when they were small or because their family doesn't have enough money. They can get involved at their local track and start on someone's pit crew. Learn the basics and move up from there. Whether they are 10 or 40 years old, honestly it's never too late to do something you love to do.

10. What advice would you give to someone who is interested in racing but may not know where to start? Start by asking questions. Ask anyone who is in or affiliated with the sport. Don't be afraid to ask the same questions over and over again. Don't be afraid to seek mentorship and immerse yourself in the racing community. Remember, every racer starts somewhere, and with determination and hard work, you can make your mark.