Dystany Spurlock has been fast her whole life—and is now a She Pivots-sponsored NASCAR driver! This is She Pivots’ first-ever sports sponsorship, because we believe in Dystany’s ability to break records and win. From a Barbie Corvette and go-karts at five, to fighting her way onto the boys' football team in middle school, to setting a motorcycle world record in a sport built for anyone but her, Dystany is a powerhouse. Getting to NASCAR meant driving trucks, working flight attendant shifts, and living in her mom's RV while she waited for the call that would change everything. On this episode of She Pivots, Dystany talks about that winding road to becoming the first Black woman to race in NASCAR, the family that held her together through the hardest parts, and why she refuses to leave her signature face sparkles at the door. We also discuss what it means when little girls stop her in the grocery store to say they want to drive too and the details behind the She Pivots purple car she's racing in this week at Indianapolis.
Chapters:
00:00 Guest Introduction: Dystany Spurlock
02:43 An Early Love of Racing
08:18 Breaking into Drag Racing
19:48 The Journey to NASCAR: Personal Obstacles
22:45 The Athleticism of Racing
27:52 The Impact of Being a Trailblazer in NASCAR
33:30 Dystany's Signature Sparkle Look
39:45 She Pivots Sponsorship of Dystany
40:28 Understanding the Racing Process
44:03 Low Point to Launch
45:40 Reflections on Dystany the Disruptor
46:52 Podcast Credits
Tune in to watch the big race THIS FRIDAY, July 24th, at 5:30pm on FS1/Fox Sports App
You can keep up with Dystany @dystanyspurlock on Instagram, and check out her Docuseries “Driven by Dystany: The Road to NASCAR” on Foxxtecca’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6q2OuXcHRf4w2pJxwqHP34rH8Iyprgcy
Be sure to subscribe so you never miss a pivot story, leave us a rating (it really helps!), and share this episode with a woman in your life who you think needs a little inspiration.
She Pivots is a podcast created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight influential women voices, share stories of bold career moves, and inspire women with interviews about career reinvention and how personal pivots can redefine professional success.
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