Diversity in Racing

SI Staff | Sep 2, 2010

Diversity in Racing /

Diversity in Racing

With BET's premiere of Changing Lanes , a reality show that follows this year's Drive for Diversity drivers as they look for their break into racing, SI.com looks at how the sport has diversified over the years. First up is Juan Pablo Montoya of Colombia, who became the first former Formula One racer to compete full-time in NASCAR. The 2000 Indy 500 champion has won two Sprint Cup races since his 2006 debut. (Send comments to siwriters@simail.com)

Three-time Indy 500 champ Helio Castroneves won the famed race in consecutive years (2001, 2002) and most recently took the top prize in 2010. The Brazilian driver gained mainstream notoriety after appearing on Dancing with the Stars in 2007.

In 1977, Janet Guthrie became the first woman to compete in a Winston Cup race, only to follow up that milestone becoming the first woman to compete in the Indy 500 and Daytona 500.

Bill Lester became the first African-American to compete in Nationwide Series race when he made his NASCAR debut in 1999. He also became the first Black driver to compete in the Sprint Cup in 20 years when he raced in 2006.

Lewis Hamilton became the first Formula One driver of African-Canadian heritage to compete in the sport. He also became the first Black driver to win a F1 event in his Canadian Grand Prix victory in 2007.

Venezuelan-born Milka Duno became the first Latina to race in the Indy 500 in 2007.

Marc Davis, one of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity's most well-known graduates, parlayed his knowledge of the sport into creating his own team.

In 2002, Hideo Fukuyama made his Winston Cup debut and became the first Japanese driver to compete in NASCAR. His career would be short-lived after Travis Carter Motorsports shut its doors.

Brazil's Ana Beatriz became the first woman to win an Indy Light Series race after taking the checkers at Nashville Superspeedway in 2008.

Born to a Hawaiian mother and German father, Leilani Munter has raced in both NASCAR and IndyCar, becoming only the fourth woman to race in the Indy Pro Series. She has also worked as a photo double/stunt driver for actress Catherine Zeta Jones.

Brazil native Tony Kanaan has authored 14 wins in the IndyCar Series since 2003. Kanaan is of Lebanese descent.

Japanese Formula One driver Kamui Kobayashi made his debut in October 2009 at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Later that year, Kobayashi scored his first F/1 points with sixth place at Abu Dhabi.

The only woman to compete full time in the Trucks Series, Erin Crocker also raced in the ARCA RE/MAX and Busch Series. She would late marry Former team owner Ray Evernham.

Earnhardt-Ganassi driver Aric Almirola has raced in the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Trucks series, amassing three career wins. Almirola is of Cuban descent.

In 1986, Willy T. Ribbs became the first African-American driver to compete in NASCAR's Winston Cup. He gained further noteriety after teaming up with comedian Bill Cosby in the CART series.

IndyCar driver and team owner Sarah Fisher became the youngest woman to compete in an IRL race at the age of 19.

Mexican-American developmental driver Jesus Hernandez was a member of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity class in 2005. That year, he has one top-5 and six top-10 finishes.

In 2008 at the Indy Japan 300, Danica Patrick became the first woman to win an Indy 500 race. She would also go on to become the highest finishing female in the Indy 500, coming in third place.

'First Lady of Drag Racing' Shirley Muldowney became one of the sports' most successful drivers, notching an impressive 18 National wins in her 18 year career.

On Dec. 1, 1963, Wendell Scott became the first and only African-American driver to win a Nextel Cup Series event.

George Mack became the second African-American to race in the Indy 500 when he competed in 2002.

Driver and Wheaton College grad Hillary Will became the fastest woman in NHRA history, clocking a speed of 334.65 mph speed at Pomona 1.

Published Sep 2, 2010

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