Armani Williams, a 19-year-old from Detroit, has made history as the first NASCAR driver with autism. According to a report this month by BlackEnterprise.com, Williams was diagnosed with autism at age two, and was considered non-verbal. Due to his challenges, many were skeptical that Williams could ever achieve his dream of becoming a professional NASCAR driver. Williams was undeterred, however, and began participating in go-kart racing competitions at age eight, before moving on to professional racing. He soon became the first African-American to have the highest finish in a series race, and the highest finish in the series championship in the ARCA Truck Pro Series. In 2018, Williams competed at the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, becoming NASCAR’s first openly autistic driver. Since then, he has gone on to compete in high-profile races in the U.S. and Canada, and has also become a motivational speaker, using his success to spread awareness about autism research and the stigmas surrounding the condition.
Williams encourages audiences to take action in their respective communities, and aims to inspire those with autism that they too can achieve their dreams and unlock their full potential. Source: https://www.blackenterprise.com/black-nascar-driver-is-the-first-with-autism/