Dystany Spurlock lives to go fast.
Spurlock is a 34-year-old driver who has competed in motorcycle drag racing and most recently attempted stock-car racing on the NASCAR regional level. She made her debut in March 2026 in the ARCA East Series and finished seventh at Hickory (N.C.) Motor Speedway.
Spurlock, the first Black woman to compete at the NASCAR regional level, followed that up with a 12th-place finish at Rockingham.
Prior to the Rockingham race, Spurlock talked to me about her path and ambitions and about her name, which is pronounced “Destiny.”
Dystany Spurlock says she loves the adrenaline rush of racing.
FOX Sports: Who is Dystany?
Spurlock: I am a motorsports racer. And I say motorsports because I not only race motorcycles in NHRA pro stock, but I also debuted in NASCAR ARCA Menard’s Series this year.
How would your friends and family describe you?
They would describe Dystany as a big ball of energy, super adventurous. Someone who loves to do anything fun, with a little danger at the end.
Even in your 30s, do you have the same energy as you did in your 20s?
Absolutely. Same person. If you go back and look at my videos, I haven’t changed a bit.
I heard you played high school football?
Yes, I played football in middle school and high school. I played corner and safety. And, no, I was not the kicker.
And why were you playing corner and safety?
Because I was super fast. And I love a challenge. So I didn’t want to just catch the ball. I wanted to play both sides.
Were you accepted? Were people like, “I’m going to be able to run right by her and she’s not going to be able to catch me?” What was it like?
It was difficult because you had the coaches that didn’t want me to play, but they couldn’t deny me because I was fast. And then you had the guys on the team that didn’t want to get hit by a girl. But at the end of the day, they accepted me.
If you can hit the opposing team or knock down a pass better than the others, they were going to want you to play, right?
Absolutely. And it was funny, because they [the opponents] did not know who I used to be as a result of as a result of I had quick hair. So they are going to be trying by means of the helmets looking for me till I mentioned one thing, then they knew who I used to be.
Did you speak smack?
I by no means talked smack. But when I did hit them and knock them down, I might have a look at them say, “You bought hit by a lady.”
And the way did you get to pull racing?
I obtained into drag racing due to my godfather. At 12 years outdated, I went to the observe, and that is after I discovered about drag racing. I informed my mother, “I wish to race.” So at 16, she obtained me my first bike, and I began racing.
Dystany Spurlock — driver of the No. 66 Foxxtecca Chevrolet — took the observe at Rockingham ARCA Menards East 125.
Which observe?
My first observe was Virginia Motorsports Park.
And what’s it about drag racing that you just like?
The velocity. I like that adrenaline rush. However I have been doing it so lengthy now, every thing feels so gradual. However I nonetheless adore it.
And did you ever wish to get into like a professional inventory or Prime Gasoline or humorous automotive?
Signal me up for Prime Gasoline. I’d undoubtedly do it.
Why inventory vehicles? And why now?
Inventory vehicles as a result of I grew up two miles from the Richmond Worldwide Raceway. My poppy is the one who obtained me into it at a few younger age, round [age] 5. So I all the time knew I needed to get into it. It was part of me from delivery. And I simply did not know . However now we’re right here. I am eternally grateful, and we will proceed to rock it out and accomplish that effectively.
What was essentially the most eye-opening expertise about Hickory?
Hickory was difficult. You actually needed to drive that observe. There was no time the place you possibly can slack, as a result of in case you did, your day was over. So I’d simply say how difficult the observe was, studying every flip, every nook. However I did wonderful.
There was no time to “slack” at Hickory, Spurlock admitted.
So that you get lapped as soon as, you get the free go. You get lapped once more, after which they make some changes to the automotive and also you had been good. What was that like?
Me being a lap down, that was by no means a factor to me as a result of my aim was to study as a lot as doable. However as soon as I obtained the fortunate canine and was in a position to get again on the lead lap, I attempted to ensure I stayed there as a lot as doable. And within the first half of the race, my automotive was so free. So as soon as we got here in, I allow them to know that they need to tighten it up. And it was excellent. We had been proper on the cash. However general, I had a rocket. And I feel if I had extra expertise, I in all probability would have completed high three. However I am going to take seventh for my first exit.
So that you performed highschool soccer, you do drag racing, you are doing inventory vehicles. What different issues have you ever performed that individuals could be like, “I did not know that she did that?”
I used to be a flight attendant for Delta Airways for about three years. I additionally drive tractor trailers, so I’ve my CDL. And, no, I do not drive computerized vehicles; they had been undoubtedly 15-speeds, 18-speeds. I snowboard, I experience horses, I raced Method 4 for a bit of bit for Skip Barber. I accomplish that a lot, however that’s the gist of it.
Have you ever ever gone sooner in a tractor trailer than you will have in a inventory automotive? Are you able to say?
I’m going to say, “No.”
Of all these, the place do you’re feeling individuals settle for you essentially the most? Was there something that you just had been like, “Oh, I do not find out about this?”
Being a flight attendant. That is straightforward. However every thing else, it is just about male-dominated. So that they have a look at me, they’re like, “You are this small little woman. It is no approach you are able to do this.” After which after I do it, they’re like, “Oh, okay, effectively, you proved me improper.”
I am on airplanes each week, so I’ve to ask about who’s the rudest — airplane passengers, boys you performed soccer towards or stock-car racers?
Soccer gamers had been the meanest ones for me. I assume as a result of they’re so massive and masculine, they usually’re like, “You are a lady, you can’t play soccer, we will run you over.” So that they gave me the toughest time.
Anyone let you know which you can’t do drag racing or you possibly can’t race inventory vehicles?
After all. I’ve gotten that on a regular basis, particularly these days. I’ve heard individuals say she wants to only stick to pull racing. However the factor is, I am sticking to what I like, and that is motorsports. So I can do each, and I’ll proceed to do each and study as a lot as I can in each.
You are too outdated to be an ARCA East driver (the place a lot of the drivers are youthful)?
I’ve heard that earlier than, too. And that is completely superb, as a result of guess what? I am out right here. I am working simply in addition to those which have been racing since they had been 5 years outdated. So I am the prime instance of by no means giving up in your desires, and you are able to do no matter you place your thoughts to.
Is your loved ones encouraging? Or are they like, “can we simply do one thing a bit of extra secure?”
No, my household has all the time been very supportive, very encouraging of no matter it’s that I needed to do. My mother informed me at 4, by no means be that child that sat at the back of the classroom that mentioned, “I want I’d have volunteered.” So since she informed me that, I’ve gone out and tried every thing that I assumed I needed to do, and having my household help and being proper there with me was large for me. And I feel that is why I’ve gotten up to now to the place I’m right this moment due to them.
Do you’re feeling such as you had been extra of a trailblazer taking part in soccer or doing this?
That’s onerous [to answer]. I don’t know. As a result of at the moment, there had not been many women in any respect …16 years in the past. And so I used to be unprecedented there [in football]. After which right here, you have not seen one other lady of shade on this area but. So I’d say for the occasions and the place they occur, they’re about equal.
How do you deal with desirous to be checked out as a race-car driver, versus a Black lady race-car driver?
On the finish of the day, you possibly can have a look at me and inform that I’m Black. However on the similar time, there’s so many individuals that do not suppose that girls or individuals of shade can do that. So for me to be that instance and do it effectively, I am very grateful. I am so honored to be right here to do that. And it additionally opens up different alternatives once they see me. So perhaps they may not wish to be a racer. Possibly they wish to be on a pit crew, perhaps they wish to do one thing in tech inside the area. So it simply opens up their minds to issues that they will do.
Dystany Spurlock is trying ahead to ultimately having a profession in NASCAR Cup.
Why had been you a flight attendant? Why had been you driving tractor trailers? Is that simply to make a residing, or was there one thing about these issues that like, “OK, that is enjoyable and I can make a residing?”
It was undoubtedly enjoyable as a result of I can not do one thing that doesn’t make me comfortable. So I like what they had been. After which the amount of cash that I comprised of them allowed me to have the ability to help myself in my racing profession as effectively.
So there was all the time a plan. And what could be the aim two years from now, three years from now, 4 years from now? Or do you not look that far forward?
I completely look that far. And my aim could be to be in Cup. Hopefully in Yr 3, however once more, there is not any rush on it as a result of I wish to proceed to study as a lot as doable. However I feel we are able to make it occur.
Did you will have any position fashions? Who do you look as much as while you speak about by no means giving up in your desires?
My position mannequin is my mother. She’s really my greatest buddy. I have been caught to her hip since delivery. So my mother is my largest cheerleader. And she or he has all the time believed in me. So with that being mentioned, I proceed to go after what it’s that I would like, and I wish to give her the world on the finish.
Did you ever ask her if you are going to name me ‘Future’ to no less than spell it the best way most individuals do, or do you want the truth that it is spelled a bit of completely different?
I like that my title is completely different. The 2 Ys is every thing for me. As a result of it is actually my character. I am completely different, identical to my title.
