White competes in NASCAR Sprint Car Series
By Sam Laskaris
A family trip to Orlando’s Walt Disney World a half dozen years ago turned out to be a life altering experience for Derek White.
White, a Mohawk who lives in Kahnawake, Que., had been drag racing for about 25 years. While in Orlando, unlike his kids, White was not too keen to go on rides at an amusement park one day.
So instead he went to track where individuals could pay $400 and get to drive eight laps in a stock car.
“I did my eight laps and I loved it,” he said. “So I went back and paid $400 more and did eight more laps. And then after that I paid another $400 and did another eight laps. Afterwards I told my wife I really like this stock car racing and I think I’m going to give it a shot.”
As it turns out, White has done more than just tried his hand at stock car racing. In fact, he made a bit of history on July 19 as he became the first Native to compete in a NASCAR Sprint Car Series event.
He participated at the 5-Hour Energy 301 race held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H.
A total of 43 entrants started the race. White completed 290 laps in the race and ended up in 39th place.
While he made his Sprint Car Series debut on Sunday, White is no stranger to some NASCAR fans.
He took part in four NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events in 2009. The following year he was a regular on that circuit, which has all of its events in Canada. He was even named as the Rookie of the Year for the series in 2010.
Since then White has also appeared in a pair of other NASCAR circuits. He has participated in 17 NASCAR XFINITIY races and a half dozen NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events.
White is hoping that he is seen as a First Nations role model. While racing he said he is constantly thinking about his Native heritage.
“That is always on my mind because I am the only Native owned and Native operated car out there,” he said. “It’s not just in my community but I know there are a lot of other people from other communities who are looking at me and saying they are proud to see what I’m doing. It means a lot to me.”
Stock car racing is also a rather expensive venture. White estimates it costs about $5 million per year simply to have a car compete in the NASCAR XFINITY Series. And he said those expenses are even double for teams that are consistently among the top finishers in the circuit.
Though he does have a couple of sponsors, White primarily finances his own racing career. He owns three gas stations, one restaurant and one grocery store in Kahnawake.
He is hoping his driving efforts and his NASCAR Sprint Car Series appearance will make others take notice and offer some assistance.
“Maybe one of the big casinos out there will see me and they’ll step up to sponsor me,” he said. “I’m the only Native driver out there. I’m ready to drive for anybody. You have just got to start somewhere and work your way up.”
White said his historic race this past Sunday did catch the attention of a few people. Officials from three other racing teams asked him afterwards if he’d be interested in competing for them when the series returns to Loudon this September.
“They just told me to let them know what my plans are,” White said, adding he has yet to make any definitive decisions.