RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Before her NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night, Dystany Spurlock returned to Highland Springs High School, where she was once a student.
Before her NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night, Dystany Spurlock returned to Highland Springs High School, where she was once a student.(12 On Your Side)
“I used to walk these halls as a kid with a dream that may have sounded crazy to a lot of people,” Spurlock said. “I wasn’t dreaming about being popular or being the star of anything, I was dreaming about racing.”
Spurlock says she is excited to be racing in front of her hometown.
“They see me on social media and they see it. But to see me back here in person, so many people are like, we’re coming out,” Spurlock said. “People are like, I’ve never been to a NASCAR race ever in my life. To see how many new fans are going to come to see NASCAR because of me is everything. And we need more of that.”
Spurlock said she has a few goals in mind for Friday’s race.
“Have fun, first and foremost, because if you’re not having fun, it’s not fun,” Spurlock said. “Secondly, to finish the race. Let’s finish this race. And I would love to get a top 15 finish. That’s, you know, huge, but anything’s possible.”
Before her NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night, Dystany Spurlock returned to Highland Springs High School, where she was once a student.(12 On Your Side)
Spurlock said she has been training hard leading up to the race and is spending time with her support system before getting race ready.
“I know there’s going to be a lot of people, friends, family that want to see me and all the things,” Spurlock said. “I’m going to spend a little time with them, but at the end of the day, we have to focus on this race.”
A message for young fans
Spurlock said she hopes her appearance on the track sends a message to kids watching at home.
“To actually be there and doing it, I am the example that you can do anything you put your mind to,” Spurlock said. “No dream is too big. You can do whatever it is.”
Spurlock will represent being the first black woman to be a NASCAR driver, as well as her Richmond community, when she takes the wheel Friday night.
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