Brehanna Michelle Daniels: “Go out there, do your best, and see what happens”

Brehanna Michelle Daniels made history as NASCAR's first Black female over-the-wall tyre changer. Her journey began in 2016 when she was selected for NASCAR's Pit Crew Development program, chosen from a nationwide pool of candidates. Backed by a strong athletic background, exceptional hand speed, and determination to succeed, Daniels transformed an unexpected opportunity into a groundbreaking career, inspiring a new generation to see that there is a place for them in motorsport.

“I never planned on working in NASCAR,” Brehanna tells Females in Motorsport.

“While I was in college training to play professional basketball, a woman from the athletics department, Tiffani Sykes, told me about a NASCAR pit crew tryout happening on campus just two days later. “At the time, I knew almost nothing about NASCAR, but after watching a video of a pit stop, I decided to take a chance. When I arrived at the tryout, I learned I was the only woman there, but I focused on doing my best and eventually earned an invitation to NASCAR’s Pit Crew Combine. “Competing against more than 25 athletes, I was selected as a tire changer and began training relentlessly to develop the speed and precision required for the role. What started as a random conversation in a college hallway became the opportunity that launched my career in NASCAR.”

Daniels continued to stand out throughout the selection process and was one of only two women chosen from a field of predominantly male competitors.

“Even today, there are still far more men than women in NASCAR,” she says. “I've seen more women getting involved behind the scenes and working with teams, but not necessarily in pit crew roles. I think part of the reason is that many teams still have a specific idea of what they're looking for when recruiting, whether that's body type or other physical attributes, and those opportunities have traditionally leaned toward men.

“That's why I'm especially grateful to still be here 10 years later. I've been able to build my own path in the sport, and a lot of that comes down to people working in the sport itself and the NASCAR Pit Crew Development program giving me the opportunity to prove myself. 

“Without that chance, my journey in NASCAR might never have happened.”

The demanding schedule and physical intensity of pit crew work mean crew members must be ready for whatever race day throws at them.

“People only see the few seconds we're over the wall, but a pit crew member's day starts hours before the race,” she says. “We're setting up on pit road, preparing tires, checking equipment, and making sure everything is perfect before the green flag. One small mistake can cost a team a position or even a race.  

“By the time the race starts, we're exhausted but mentally locked in. When the car comes in, you have just seconds to perform under immense pressure. There's no time to think, no room for error, and that's what makes the pit crew work so intensely.”

Race preparation often starts long before the race weekend itself. “You have to stay physically prepared for extreme conditions, whether that's training in the heat, staying hydrated, or constantly preparing your body for race day,” she says. “You're never really out of work mode, you're always thinking about the next race, the next stop, and the next challenge.”

As a tire changer, your performance is closely tied to the rest of the pit crew. Every stop relies on trust, coordination, and split-second communication. Because pit stops are a team effort, crew members constantly learn from one another, building chemistry and refining their craft together.

“Trust is everything on a pit crew,” she says. “We practice together constantly so that every movement becomes second nature. Mistakes happen to everyone. I’ve had loose lug nuts and difficult stops like any other tire changer. “The key is not letting one mistake define you. In this sport, if something goes wrong, you learn from it and immediately focus on the next pit stop. There’s simply no time to dwell on the past." Brehanna Daniels never set out to make history; she simply took an opportunity and worked hard to make the most of it. Ten years later, she remains one of the most recognisable women in NASCAR pit crews and continues to show what is possible for future generations. Her success has also extended beyond the racetrack, with appearances on NBC's The Titan Games and a national Advil commercial. 

From a last-minute tryout to a career in NASCAR, Daniels' journey shows that life-changing opportunities can come from the most unexpected places, and that success often begins with the courage to simply show up and try.