In 1991, Willy T. Ribbs became the first African American driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500. Ribbs tested for the Indy 500 in 1986 and competed in 1991 and 1993. He also competed in the Trans-Am Series, IndyCar, Champ Car, IMSA, and the NASCAR Cup Series and Gander Outdoors Truck Series. Prior to his Indianapolis debut, Ribbs won the 1976 Formula Ford Dunlop Championship and was named Trans-Am Series Rookie of the Year in 1983. He won 17 Trans-Am races and was known for his outspoken personality and criticisms of NASCAR. After retiring from racing, Ribbs joined the National Sporting Clays Association as a professional shooter specializing in sporting clays.
