blackhistory366: #BlackHistory366 Day 15 Tia Norfleet (1987-), A native of Suffolk, Virginia, but now lives in Augusta, Georgia where racing is not merely a hobby; it’s a way of life. As a second generation licensed NASCAR driver, Tia Norfleet is understand what it is to break barriers and she well knows the low odds and risks involved with being a professional racecar driver. Tia loves what she does and she’ll stop at nothing to make it. Racing is her life. Growing up the daughter of Bobby Norfleet, a professional racecar driver who was a fairly prominent driver throughout the ’90s, Tia 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? It’s never been done. Tia Norfleet is the first and only African American female to be licensed by NASCAR. Becoming a champion NASCAR driver is a goal she’s been aiming toward for quite some time. She has been successful at drag racing and on the shorter tracks circuit known as the late models, where she gained two top-15 finishes. “Around the age of 14 is when I really, really knew that this was what I wanted to do for a living; this was my passion,” she stated in an interview with the Huffington Post. After serious training and coaching, Mr. Norfleet has passed on the historic number to his eldest daughter, Tia Norfleet. Today she is taking the number to higher heights and around the world, while keeping the legacy and its significance alive. “To me, the number 34 represents the struggle, the pain, victory, the adventure and a fierce urgency of now and that’s why I’m working so hard to make it in this sport. When kids see me or the number, I want them to know that they can do anything they set their mind to,” stated Tia Norfleet. Cited: http://www.tianorfleet34.com/tianorfleet/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=57

blackhistory366:

#BlackHistory366 Day 15

Tia Norfleet (1987-), A native of Suffolk, Virginia, but now lives in Augusta, Georgia where racing is not merely a hobby; it’s a way of life. As a second generation licensed NASCAR driver, Tia Norfleet is understand what it is to break barriers and she well knows the low odds and risks involved with being a professional racecar driver. Tia loves what she does and she’ll stop at nothing to make it. Racing is her life. Growing up the daughter of Bobby Norfleet, a professional racecar driver who was a fairly prominent driver throughout the ’90s, Tia 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? It’s never been done. Tia Norfleet is the first and only African American female to be licensed by NASCAR. Becoming a champion NASCAR driver is a goal she’s been aiming toward for quite some time. She has been successful at drag racing and on the shorter tracks circuit known as the late models, where she gained two top-15 finishes. “Around the age of 14 is when I really, really knew that this was what I wanted to do for a living; this was my passion,” she stated in an interview with the Huffington Post.

After serious training and coaching, Mr. Norfleet has passed on the historic number to his eldest daughter, Tia Norfleet. Today she is taking the number to higher heights and around the world, while keeping the legacy and its significance alive. “To me, the number 34 represents the struggle, the pain, victory, the adventure and a fierce urgency of now and that’s why I’m working so hard to make it in this sport. When kids see me or the number, I want them to know that they can do anything they set their mind to,” stated Tia Norfleet.

Cited: