Brad Daugherty is a name that will forever be etched in history, as the first black principal owner to win the Daytona 500. Daugherty is co-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing and is also one of the few black owners in NASCAR. After Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the race on Sunday, Daugherty received a text message of congratulations from his longtime friend, Michael Jordan.
Jordan is the co-owner of the 23XI Racing team and the home of Bubba Wallace, the only black driver in the Cup Series. Daugherty was quick to thank Jordan for his contribution to the sport, saying that without him, there would be no chance for a black driver to win a race each week. Daugherty also noted that the win was especially meaningful for him, as he had been in the sport for 35 years, trying to create opportunities for people of color.
Daugherty was not able to attend the race due to eye surgery, but he watched it at his home in Orlando. After the win, his phone was buzzing with congratulations from Steve Phelps of NASCAR, Jordan, and Wallace. Daugherty said that while he was pulling for his driver first, he was also pulling for Wallace every weekend.
The win is a powerful statement for both Daugherty and Jordan, showing that despite the odds, a small, independent team can still come out on top. It was also a victory for the sport, proving that diversity and inclusion are possible. Daugherty and Jordan have both made a huge impact on the sport, and the Daytona 500 win is a testament to their dedication and hard work.
