Dystany Spurlock is doing things her way, unapologetically.

The 34-year-old Spurlock was a trailblazer in NASCAR this year, becoming the first Black woman to race in one of NASCAR's three national series. The motorsports star also made her presence felt in the various ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 66 car for MBM Motorsports.

For almost two decades, Spurlock chased her NASCAR dream, dabbling in motorcycle drag racing, the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Series, while also competing in Formula 4. "I knew at an early age I wanted to race NASCAR, but I didn't have the backing," she recalled. "So I had to figure it out."

The 34-year-old noted that there were deals in 2011 and 2015 that would have allowed her to race in NASCAR earlier, but both fell through. Despite the two setbacks, Spurlock eventually teamed up with Foxxtecca, a company that is "a pioneering platform that seamlessly integrates media, education, events, and culture to redefine engagement in the mobility industry."

By joining forces with Foxxtecca, the star found the sponsor who helped propel her toward where she wanted to be. "[Foxxtecca co-founders Christopher Harris and Kellie Crawford] told me a few years ago, 'Dystany, if we can make this happen, we're going to do it.' And they stayed true to their word," Spurlock continued.

"And they allowed me to be able to debut this year in March in the ARCA Menards East Series." By racing at Hickory Motor Speedway, Spurlock became the first Black woman to compete in the series, qualifying in eighth and finishing in seventh, completing all 200 laps.

One month later, during the Tide 150, the star became the first Black woman to race in the national ARCA Menards Series, finishing in 10th after an impressive save in the waning laps of the race. Spurlock also became the first Black woman to compete in one of NASCAR's three national touring series, debuting at Dover in the Ecosave 200 in the Truck Series, finishing in 36th after her truck hit the outside wall.

Overall, the star qualified for two of three Truck Series races while accruing three top-15 finishes each in the Menards Series, in five races, and the Menards Series East, which are all three of her starts. Though Spurlock did not get to race a full season due to various setbacks, competing in a total of 12 races in 2026, she noted that it was still a "great year" and that the experience has been "really good."

"We had a lot of top 10 finishes, top 15 finishes. We also got to debut in the Craftsman Truck Series as well. So it's been a really great year, fun, a lot of learning, but like I said, having fun while I'm doing it," she added.

Given her background in motorsports, it was clear that she employed bits and pieces from each discipline during the races this season. She posited that she was just "learning the racecraft" when it came to transferring her knowledge to NASCAR and the intricacies of each track.

"I'm still in my developmental phase right now," she admitted. "I'm just becoming a student of the sport at the highest ability that I can on and off the track from watching film, being on the simulator to actually racing at the track with others. So I wouldn't say it was hard - it's just I knew what I was up against and the things I need to learn. And I apply myself to those every single day."

Spurlock also lauded the support system around her and said that, despite how some days might go, the best thing to do is just put one foot forward, as she has done throughout her journey. "I just always try to encourage people to know that there are better days to come, stay focused, keep your eye truly on the prize, because sometimes we go through things and we don't understand why at that moment, but then once we come out of it, we definitely understand," she reflected.

With her 2026 season in the rearview following her 14th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway, the message Spurlock learned heading into 2027 was simple: "Be authentically you and your people will find you."

"When I first came in, I had this thing, which I still do, where I wear my hat backwards," Spurlock said. "So I had someone tell me, 'Why are you doing that? NASCAR drivers don't wear their hat backwards.' And I'm like, 'Because this is literally how I always wear my hat.

"And it just so happened to be a thing where me being authentically me was OK. ... I learned that it's OK to be authentically you. It's OK to not conform to the norm of what other people think or want you to be. And the reason why I say your people will find you is because everybody isn't for everyone. And that's OK.

"But the people who are supposed to be in your corner and have your back, they will find you. And that's all you need at the end of the day."