African american race car driver willy t ribbs

He is often noted as the first african american to have tested a formula one car and to compete in. Ribbs wont reflect on the past during the 102nd running of the indianapolis 500 on sunday. Ribbs is a rarity in the world of auto racing as very few african americans have been embraced as race car drivers. An indepth profile of the life and career of willy t. As the first africanamerican driver in the race, ribbs is aware of his historic significance. On may 19, 1991, ribbs became the first black race car driver to qualify for indianapolis 500. Ribbs and george mack are the only two african americans to have ever circled the indy. There were no african americans in nascar from 1973 until willy t. He is often noted as the first african american to have tested a formula one car and to compete in the indianapolis 500. As the first africanamerican to test a formula one car and compete in the. Willys first race was at north wilkesboro speedway on april 20, 1986. Ribbs won t reflect on the past during the 102nd running of the indianapolis 500 on sunday. After retiring, he became a sport shooter in the national sporting clays association. Ribbs is the first black driver to win a transam race, test a formula one car, and race in the indy 500.

The first black man to test a formula 1 car 1985, the first black driver at the indy 500 1991. Ribbs love of cars and racing began at the age of four. Jihad dennis is a painter who studied fine art at pratt institute in brooklyn, ny. That was the only race that he finished in his short career, laps down in 22nd. Despite the odds, ribbs made history not once, but twice, on the race track. As the first african american driver in the race, ribbs is. I was trying to do what the other drivers were trying to. Ribbs is a rarity in the world of auto racing as very few africanamericans have been embraced as race car drivers. Local students meet africanamerican racing legend willy t. Ribbs ran three nascar events in 1986, but he made bigger news that year when he became the first africanamerican to drive a formula one car. Ribbs, who was the first black driver in the indianapolis. New documentary chronicles first african american driver to race in. Artist interpretation of american race car driver willy t.

In the 102year history of the indianapolis 500, willy t. New documentary chronicles first african american driver. A new film chronicles the life of auto racer willy t. Through sheer determination, willy shattered the color barrier in professional racing, becoming the first black man to race in the indy 500. Rather than managing the successful family plumbing business founded by his grandfather in 1927, willy t. Ribbs the controversial black driver who shattered the color barrier of professional autoracing and became the first black qualifier in the storied history of the indy 500. He is the first african american to compete in the indianapolis 500 and one of the only african american nascar racers. He was the first african american to qualify and race in the indianapolis 500, ribbs did it in 1991 and george mack in 2002, and was the first black driver to ever test a formula 1 car in 1986 for. Documentary tells story of auto racing pioneer willy t. Ribbs competed in many forms of auto racing, including the transam series, indycar, champ car, imsa, and the nascar cup series and gander outdoors truck series. Meet the influential africanamerican drivers in nascar.

Meet the influential africanamerican drivers in nascars. His career, starting with a starring run in the british. Ribbs, who was the first black driver in the indianapolis 500 at a time when most other american sports had already long been integrated. He is the first african american to compete in the indianapolis 500 and one of the. He was the first africanamerican to qualify and race in the indianapolis 500, ribbs did it in 1991 and george mack in 2002, and was the first black driver to ever test a formula 1 car in 1986 for.