Tia Norfleet creates jobs as a NASCAR pioneer

"Getting here has taking much hard work and dedication, there are so many people who have helped to make this happen and we are very thankful for their devotion and support. At Bobby Norfleet Racing, Inc., it is a family affair and we all stand strong and firm behind Tia. We are extremely proud of her and the hard work that she has put into this program," stated Allen L. Ellison, President of Bobby Norfleet Racing, Inc.

"While this has been an enduring journey for the entire Norfleet team, it has taught us patience and perseverance in all things," says Tia Norfleet. This, today, is the result of persevering. I am truly honored and truly blessed to be able to experience this moment with my family and to race with some of the best drivers in the sport."

Tia Norfleet, the multi-talented, beautiful Suffolk, VA native is the daughter of 20 year veteran NASCAR driver, Bobby Norfleet. Tia started racing, under her father's tutelage, at the age of 9 and has a true passion for the sport.

On the track, Tia Norfleet boasts an impressive winning record racing cars. From 1995- 2000, Tia started racing go karts, with 22 top ten finishes, 6 top 5 finishes and 2 wins. She then moved up to the Bandoleros Series from 2000-2003, accumulating 3 top 10 finishes and 2 top 5 finishes. In 2004, Tia began racing in late model series with 18 starts and 2 top 15 place finishes. In the drag racing circuit, she has amassed an impressive 52 starts with 37 wins. 

Off track, Tia has a literacy program called Driven 2 Read, in which, she is developing a platform to help inspire children to read. It is a merit based reading program designed to encourage young people to increase their reading proficiency through the power of motorsports.

She is also the Goodwill Ambassador for the National African American Drug Policy Coalition which is a unique collaborative initiative to address the problem of drug abuse in the African American community with each member organization contributing distinct intellectual content, practices and procedures for eradicating the deleterious societal effects of drug abuse. In its 67 year history, she is the first and only African American woman to compete in NASCAR. For more info, visit www.tianorfleet34.com.