Dystany Spurlock is charting her own course, and she's not apologizing for it.

The 34-year-old made history in NASCAR this year, becoming the first Black woman to compete in one of the sport's three national series. The racing star also turned heads in the various ARCA Menards Series this year, piloting the No. 66 car for MBM Motorsports.

With her season now fully at a close, Spurlock opened up about her path to a NASCAR seat and her groundbreaking 2026 season, recalling her life before getting into the space.

For nearly two decades, Spurlock pursued her NASCAR ambitions, trying her hand at motorcycle drag racing, the NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle Series, and Formula 4 competition. "I knew at an early age I wanted to race NASCAR, but I didn't have the backing," she said to the Express US. "So I had to figure it out."

The 34-year-old revealed that opportunities in 2011 and 2015 could have gotten her into NASCAR sooner, but both collapsed. Despite those disappointments, Spurlock eventually partnered with Foxxtecca, a company described as "a pioneering platform that seamlessly integrates media, education, events, and culture to redefine engagement in the mobility industry."

Through her partnership with Foxxtecca, the driver secured the sponsorship that launched her toward her goal. "[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 added.

"And they allowed me to be able to debut this year in March in the ARCA Menards East Series."

Racing at Hickory Motor Speedway, Spurlock made history as the first Black woman to compete in the series, qualifying in eighth place and crossing the finish line in seventh, completing all 200 laps.

One month later, during the Tide 150, the trailblazing star again broke barriers, becoming the first Black woman to race in the national ARCA Menards Series, finishing in 10th place after a remarkable save in the closing laps. Spurlock also etched her name in the record books as the first Black woman to compete in one of NASCAR's three national touring series, making her debut at Dover in the Ecosave 200 in the Truck Series, finishing in 36th after her truck made contact with the outside wall.

In total, Spurlock qualified for two of three Truck Series races, racking up three top-15 finishes in the Menards Series across five races, and three top-15 finishes in all three of her Menards Series East starts. Despite various setbacks preventing her from completing a full season, competing in just 12 races in 2026, Spurlock described it as a "great year" and said 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 motorsports background, it's evident she drew from various disciplines throughout this season's races. She explained that she was simply "learning the racecraft" as she adapted her expertise to NASCAR and the unique characteristics of each circuit.

"I'm still in my developmental phase right now," she acknowledged. "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 praised her support network and emphasized that, regardless of how challenging some days might be, the key is to keep moving forward, just as she has done throughout her career. "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 said.

Following her 14th-place finish at Phoenix Raceway, which wrapped up her 2026 season, Spurlock's takeaway heading into 2027 was straightforward: "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."