Background
Brehanna Daniels, is a tire changer for NASCAR and the first African American woman to be part of a NASCAR Cup Series pit crew. She is also part of the first female duo to perform pit crew work.
Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Daniels attended Norfolk State University, where she majored in communications and played point guard on the basketball team. After college, she was recruited into NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program in 2016, where her athletic background and hand speed helped her stand out. She trained at Rev Racing and Xcalibur Pit School before making history in 2017 as the first African American woman to work on a pit crew in a national racing series during an ARCA race at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville.
Daniels went on to work as a tire changer for ARCA driver Thad Moffit, and pitted in NASCAR’s Camping World Truck Series and Xfinity Series for various teams. In the same year, she became the first Black woman to work on a pit crew in a national NASCAR race at the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona, where she and Breanna O’Leary became the first female duo to perform pit crew duties. Daniels also participated in the Daytona 500 qualifying race and race itself with O’Leary in 2019.
Throughout her career, Daniels has worked with the Drive for Diversity Pit Crew Combine program, which played a key role in launching her career in NASCAR.
The Story
In mid-March, Brehanna Daniels found herself at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, ready to take on another NASCAR Cup Series race—the Straight Talk Wireless 400. But Daniels’s presence at the race wasn’t just about her work on the track. It was a reminder of the profound shift happening in a sport that’s long been dominated by a specific image. As NASCAR’s first Black female tire changer, Daniels stands as both a trailblazer and an inspiration, not only for women but also for people of color looking to break into motorsports.
Now in her ninth season on a racing circuit, Daniels has carved a niche for herself as an independent contractor, working consistently with Joey Gase’s team on the No. 53 car and occasionally with Casey Mears’s No. 66 car. But her path to becoming a fixture in one of NASCAR’s most prestigious pit crews wasn’t something she set out to accomplish—it just happened, naturally, as a result of her hard work and unwavering commitment to her craft.
Daniels’s role as a tire changer is critical, especially in NASCAR, where every second counts. The precision, speed, and physical strength required for the job often go unnoticed by casual observers. Yet for Daniels, the work is more than just a job—it’s a chance to challenge stereotypes and make history. “I didn’t set out to be a trailblazer,” she says. “But now, I realize that what I’m doing matters beyond just my career.”
Her success isn’t just about having a place in NASCAR; it’s about paving the way for those who never saw someone like themselves in the sport. As one of the few women on a top-tier NASCAR Cup Series pit crew, Daniels is helping to redefine what it means to be part of the team behind the race.
NASCAR, long perceived as a male-dominated, predominantly white sport, has seen steady progress in recent years, particularly in terms of diversity and inclusion. Daniels’s presence in the pit crew is a step toward breaking those barriers. Yet, she remains focused on the bigger picture—the long-term changes that she hopes her success will inspire.
“I understand now that my presence here is bigger than me,” Daniels admits. “It’s not just about making history. It’s about showing others, especially young Black women, that they belong here too.” This realization comes after years of dedication, sacrifice, and a commitment to proving herself in a sport where the odds were historically stacked against her. But Daniels also recognizes that NASCAR’s future hinges on more than just individual stories of success—it requires a collective effort to create lasting change.
In addition to breaking barriers, Daniels’s career has been about balancing short-term achievements with long-term goals. While working with Gase’s team on a consistent basis is important, Daniels also views her journey as a stepping stone. “You have to be strategic in this sport,” she explains. “Every race is an opportunity to improve, to learn, and to position yourself for something bigger down the line.”
For Daniels, it’s not just about winning races—it’s about creating a legacy for others to follow. Her work as an independent contractor has allowed her to build the kind of experience necessary for advancing in the sport, all while laying the groundwork for the next generation of pit crew members who may look to her as a source of inspiration.
The road to NASCAR was never easy for Daniels. The physical demands of tire changing are grueling, requiring not only speed and precision but also endurance and strength. For a woman in a field where she was often one of the only females in the pit, overcoming these challenges has been about resilience. “I’ve had to prove myself in ways that others might not have to,” she reflects. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Every challenge is a lesson, and every lesson gets me closer to my ultimate goal.”
As Daniels looks ahead, she’s not just thinking about her next race or the next season. She’s thinking about the future of NASCAR itself. Her journey, she knows, can help guide the sport toward a more inclusive and diverse future. Daniels is determined to use her success to inspire others to push beyond their own limits. “I want to show everyone that anything is possible,” she says. “If I can do this, anyone can.”
Brehanna Daniels may not have set out to be a trailblazer, but her impact on NASCAR is undeniable. Her success serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of pushing through barriers. With every tire she changes, she’s not just contributing to the race—she’s shaping the future of the sport. And in doing so, she’s showing the world that NASCAR’s future is one where anyone, no matter their gender or background, has the potential to succeed.