Breaking Barriers: African Americans Pursuing Motorsports Careers

About Us

My dream was racing. It was a difficult journey. I had very little money, but I had a strong will to succeed. So, I scavenged and found old car scraps to build my own race car. I tried to race in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but was rejected because of the color of my skin. I was determined. A group of men created The Colored Speedway Association and started the Gold and Glory Sweepstake Races for people like me. I won many races, but it was a race itself that took me out of the sport - a terrible accident which left me blind in one eye and an amputated leg. So I did everything I could to help and inspire others to pursue the dream - including my family.

We, the family of the late great Charlie Wiggins are dedicated to promoting diversity in motorsports, with a focus on African Americans in Indycar. Our mission is to encourage and support African Americans in the various careers of motorsports.