With most of the motorsports world on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve decided to highlight some of the sport’s legends on a daily basis. We begin each story within the pages of National Speed Sport News.
Many would argue that Willy T. Ribbs is the greatest African-American driver to ever compete in the sport.
The California native no longer races, but he will long be remembered for his great performances and even better quotations.
Ribbs always had something to say and usually said it very well. While he was often controversial, he was right to the point.
Beginning his career racing Formula cars in the mid 1970s, Ribbs quickly made his way through the road racing ranks, driving for team owners like Dan Gurney and Jack Roush.
Ribbs was the Trans-Am Series rookie of the year in 1983 when he collected five victories.
During his career, Ribbs raced in IMSA, SCCA, CART the IRL and NASCAR. He even tested a Formula One car at one point.
He is probably best known for becoming the first African-American driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500 when he qualified there in 1991. He made the race again in 1993.
