In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), we recognize Peggy Llewellyn, a
professional motorcyclist on the NHRA circuit and the first woman of color in the world to win a
professional motorsports event, as a Hispanic Heritage Month Fact.
On September 23, 2007, Llewellyn, of Mexican and Jamaican decent, won her first professional racing
event at the NHRA POWERade Series, O'Reilly Fall Nationals in Dallas, earning her an appearance in
the inaugural Countdown to 4 and Countdown to 1, giving her a finish in the POWERade top five in
standings where she recorded her post-career-best time and speed.
Llewellyn ran an elapsed time of 7.020 seconds at 190.00 mph to beat Andrew Hines in the finals,
while knocking Craig Treble out of the number four position to make it into the inaugural countdown
competition. She was the only female to make it into the countdown, finishing fourth for the
season.
According to the United States Census, in September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B.
Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, with the observance being expanded in 1988 to
a month long celebration (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), starting on Sept. 15 in observance of the anniversary
of independence for seven Latin American (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua,
Mexico, and Chile) countries.
Citizens celebrate the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Mexico,
Spain, and other Spanish-speaking nations.
About Peggy Llewellyn
Professional motorcyclist Peggy Llewellyn, of Jamaican and Mexican American decent, is the first
woman of color in the world to win a professional motorsports event. Winning at the NHRA POWERade
Dallas 2007, she earned an appearance in the inaugural Countdown to 4 and Countdown to 1, giving
her a finish in the POWERade top five in standings where she recorded her post-career-best time and
speed.
The three year professional motorcyclist ran an abbreviated season in 2008 where she advanced to
the semifinals in Denver, finishing the season qualifying five of six races. Llewellyn looks to
return to the NHRA circuit for the remainder of the 2009 NHRA season.
Named 2009 Female Athlete of the Year by The Elements of a Champion Foundation for displaying
extraordinary character on and off the racetrack, Llewellyn is dedicated to her community through
actively being involved with Women's Sports Foundation's Go Girl Go! and independently promoting
the sport of motorcycle racing, physical fitness education, and following dreams to young girls.
She also serves as the celebrity spokesperson for Divas For A Cure, a unique national service-based
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of Black and Latina women, who ride motorcycles across country to
increase awareness and raise funds to support a cure for breast cancer throughout the year and
participate in their signature fundraiser, Divas For A Cure Breast Cancer Motorcycle Run.
For more information, visit http://www.peggyllewellyn.com.
