Tia Norfleet Becomes NASCAR’s First Licensed African-American Female Driver

Tia Norfleet has become the first African-American female driver to be licensed by NASCAR. A native of Suffolk, Va., she is now living in Augusta, Ga.—where racing is not merely a hobby but a way of life. As a second-generation licensed NASCAR driver, Norfleet understands what it means to break barriers as well as knowing the physical risks of being a professional race car driver.


None of this matters though. Norfleet loves what she does and she’ll stop at nothing to make it. Racing is her life and she knows the sport. The daughter of professional racecar driver Bobby Norfleet, she was introduced to the sport of auto racing at a very young age. Female drivers are rare enough in NASCAR, but an African-American as well? Norfleet’s goal is to become the first African-American female to get the checkered NASCAR flag. (New York Amsterdam News)