Most people can name famous basketball players such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James. Yet, famous Black race car drivers are lesser known but have been instrumental in fighting racial discrimination within the world of motorsports.
Fortunately, the movie Formula 1 has expanded our perception by featuring Damson Idris as a competitive and, at times, overly confident race car driver. The appearance of a Black race car driver on the big screen it reminds us that Black athletes are not limited to mainstream sports like football and basketball.
Let’s explore some parts of that history that are often overlooked and learn about the men who opened doors for people of color aspiring to get behind the wheel. Here are some Black Drivers in motorsports you should know about.
Dewey Gatson / “Rajo Jack”
The name “Rajo Jack” might sound unfamiliar, but it holds great significance in motorsports history. Dewey Gatson, born on July 28th, 1905, in Tyler, Texas, earned his nickname from selling parts for Rajo Motor Manufacturing.
Gatson was one of the first African American race car drivers in America, despite being barred from competing in sanctioned American Automobile Association (AAA) events. While there was no formal law preventing African Americans from racing in AAA events, racial discrimination at the time excluded many Black drivers from competing.
As a result, Gatson competed in “outlaw circuits” and even pretended to be Portuguese to gain entry into certain racing arenas.
His racing journey began in 1923 with a Model T Ford. In 1936, he celebrated his first victory, winning by two laps at the Los Angeles Speedway.
Because of Rajo Jack’s presence in the racing scene, he paved the way for others to follow in his footsteps. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2003 and the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2007.
Charles Wiggins
A four-time winner of the Colored Speedway Association’s Gold and Glory Sweepstakes race, Charles Wiggins was one of the most supportive and influential figures within the race car scene.
His interest in cars began while he was shining shoes at an auto repair shop, where he worked his way up to become a mechanic’s assistant. When World War I broke out, Wiggins took on managing the auto shop floor due to a shortage of workers.
As his love for cars grew, Wiggins eventually designed his own race car and sought to participate in the Indianapolis 500, known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Unfortunately, his application was denied, but that didn’t stop him from exploring other avenues.
Wiggins joined the Colored Speedway Association, an organization for Black race car drivers in the Midwest. He was eventually able to compete in races organized by the Association and won four times, driving cars he had designed himself.
Although he never competed in the Indianapolis 500, Wiggins contributed significantly by helping engineers design winning cars. Though not widely known publicly, he was highly praised and honored within the racing community.
Joie Ray
Joie Ray, born Joseph Reynolds Ray Jr., was the first Black driver to break color barriers by participating in a sanctioned sprint car race with the Midwest Dirt Track Racing Association.
He earned the nickname “the Jackie Robinson of racing” because Ray’s and Robinson’s debuts occurred about a week apart.
Ray got his start in racing after placing a bet and winning $500, which was enough to buy a Dodge four-cylinder sprint car priced at $450. This investment enabled him to compete in various racing organizations, including the Central States Racing Association (CSRA) and the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA), where he became the first African American to race.
Throughout his career, Ray secured numerous top-5 and top-10 finishes, racing alongside notable drivers such as Bill Cantrell, Cliff Griffith, and Chick Smith. His contributions to the sport were recognized when he was inducted into the Hoosier Auto Racing Fans (HARF) Hall of Fame in 1995.
Lewis Hamilton
Sir Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton is the first Black driver to compete in Formula 1.
Born on January 7, 1985, in Stevenage, England, Hamilton began his racing career in karting at the age of six, winning multiple national and international karting championships.
As a teenager, he was recruited into the McLaren-Mercedes Young Driver Programme, which laid the foundation for his career. Hamilton made his Formula 1 debut in 2007. In his rookie season, he won four races and finished just one point behind the World Champion, Kimi Räikkönen.
Hamilton’s fame continued to grow when he won his first World Drivers’ Championship in 2008, becoming the then-youngest World Champion in Formula One history.
Throughout his career and alongside teammate Nico Rosberg, Hamilton secured multiple titles, including back-to-back championships in 2014 and 2015. Following Rosberg’s retirement, Hamilton went on to win further titles in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, reaching a record-tying seven World Championships alongside Michael Schumacher.
In addition to his record-breaking racing achievements, Hamilton has been a prominent advocate for racial justice, diversity, and environmental sustainability, using his platform to influence positive change within and beyond motorsport.
Whether you are a fan of racing or new to the sport, it is important to recognize the pioneers who opened doors for Black drivers, Black athletes, and other people of color. Though many of these individuals may only be well-known within certain circles, their impact has transcended generations.
