NASCAR’s “Orchestrator of Controlled Chaos” Takes Pride in Her Career as She Celebrates Black History Month

NASCAR has always promoted diversity. Drivers like Bubba Wallace and Rajah Caruth are the perfect examples to prove that point. However, it’s not just the drivers who are making their way into the sport. Women like Darwin Patterson have proven that even black women are capable of making it big in sports like NASCAR. Recently, on the occasion of Black History Month, Patterson thanked NASCAR for allowing her to show her skills.

Darwin Patterson, who is usually the one behind the management of the victory lane where celebrations can get out of hand, relayed her delight to “control chaos” and orchestrate it.

An intention to be an inspiration for all women of color

Darwin Patterson’s job is to regulate things and make sure everyone is on the same page. She is typically the yelling one, as she admits. Thanking NASCAR for everything they have done, Patterson said, “NASCAR means a whole lot to me. This industry, this company, and this sport gave me an opportunity when others did not and just an opportunity to showcase what I have to offer.”

Introducing herself, she said, “I’m a manager of a series of operations in NASCAR. The most visible area that fans typically do see me or people see me would be victory lane at the very end. I am the orchestrator of all things controlled chaos. I like to call it. So I typically am yelling one, two, three for the teams to take their photos in between the hat dances. Also, making sure the photographers are good to go. The teams have what they need, but also on our end, we have what we need as NASCAR.”

Furthermore, aiming to inspire women of color across the country, on the occasion of Black History Month, she said, “I’m a woman of color in this position; I’ve four little sisters at home, and they can see big sister Darwin’s out there at the race track, making a difference. And even not my sisters, the fans at home, the little girls at home, the little girls in the grandstands, they can see that myself and others and out there on the race track making things happen, and I think that’s awesome, and that NASCAR has even put us in the position to do that.”

Not to mention, she not only aims to inspire black women, but is also a part of several programs run by NASCAR: the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program, the NASCAR for Diversity Program, and NASCAR Supplier Diversity. NASCAR Diversity & Inclusion strives to create an inclusive environment in all facets of the NASCAR industry, recognizing the value of diversity, which allows the organization to go faster and farther in the workplace, at the race track, and in the stands.

And while on one side, NASCAR’s officials like Darwin Patterson are celebrating Black History Month by making a difference, the 23XI team is not behind either. Recently, ahead of the Daytona 500 race, the team honored their driver for his contribution to the sport.

Denny Hamlin and Co. honor their driver during Black History Month

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On the occasion of Black History Month, the 23XI team shared a clip in which Denny Hamlin could also be seen praising his prodigy for the difference that #23 makes by just being there in the Cup Series. He said, “Bubba shows that you can break barriers, right? You can enter a sport or a career that maybe you didn’t think you had a chance in. Or turn on the TV; maybe someone of your ethnicity isn’t prominently in that sport, but it shows that you can go there and you can compete as long as you work hard.”

Beyond these, young Salem sensation Rajah Caruth, another black driver, recently broke the internet with a stellar finish at Daytona. The Spire Motorsports driver came across the line second in a wreckfest of a race, carefully managing the caution and staying out of danger. With these kinds of developments, NASCAR is truly evolving into a sport for all, unlike its early days, when only one race typically participated.

READ MORE: Denny Hamlin Issues Notice for His Aggressive Driving at Daytona as He Chases Prestigious Company