In a groundbreaking achievement, Briana Johnson has made her mark as the first Black woman tire changer in NASCAR history. Previously, in 2016, she became the first Black female pit crew member, and now she continues to shatter glass ceilings in the racing world.
“God truly chose the right person for this role,” Johnson expressed regarding her historic position. “It requires resilience to step into this arena, especially given NASCAR’s past and the familiar faces often seen on the track. I was a bit anxious initially, uncertain of how I would be perceived, but I realized that someone had to pave the way, and I was ready to take that leap.”
As part of NASCAR’s “Drive for Diversity” initiative, which aims to recruit and nurture minority and female talent in racing, Johnson was the sole woman auditioning for a position on the pit crew team. During her audition, she discovered her passion for tire changing, which led to her invitation to join the program shortly thereafter.
In 2019, she made history again by participating in the prestigious Daytona 500 as NASCAR’s first Black female pit crew member. Last year, she was honored with the crew member award at the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards Ceremony, and this year, she has stepped into the role of tire changer for the No. 51 Chevrolet at Rick Ware Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Recently, Johnson was joined by her teammates, Sarah Thompson and Maya Rodriguez, as the only women participating in the Daytona 500.
“It’s uplifting when other women reach out and say, ‘You’re living my dream; how can I get involved?’” Johnson shared. “The visibility I have now inspires others, and I hope to see more women in this sport in the future.”
As a tire changer, Johnson is responsible for swiftly removing lug nuts and replacing tires, along with preparing and cleaning tires on race day. And she’s impressively fast at it.
“People doubted my longevity, claiming I wouldn’t last long in this role,” she reflected on her critics. “There will always be naysayers, but their skepticism fuels my determination to excel.”
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In summary, Briana Johnson stands as a symbol of progress in NASCAR, breaking barriers as the first Black female tire changer. Her journey inspires many, and she remains committed to encouraging more women to enter the sport.