The naturalized American, who represented Pakistan in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsports, is the first Asian-American to break ARCA’s diversity barrier. Ali’s goal is to build a resume and make it into NASCAR’s premier division Sprint Cup Series, where few minority drivers have ventured.
“I see myself representing Asian-Americans, and I am hoping I can represent a lot of people,” Ali said at trackside recently.
“Other than Aric Almirola, NASCAR (Sprint Cup series) hasn’t had a significant full-time minority driver or female driver,” said Max Siegel, CEO of 909 Group, a sports marketing company. He also heads NASCAR’s diversity program, a marketing initiative by NASCAR to increase potential for minority drivers to make their way into major racing.
Siegel said it won’t be easy for Ali, as with most drivers who don’t come up in the sport from an early age.
“He’s a road-course expert, and his chances are as great as anyone, but his challenge is getting aggressive on an oval track, usually perfected over a series of years,” Siegel said. “There’s a huge learning curve.”
Ali, 34, hopes to learn the oval curves quickly. He’s been planning for it since his family moved to Germany when he was 6 months old.
At his graduation, immediately after walking across stage, Nur Ali handed the diploma to his dad and said he was ready to race.
Without any knowledge of racing, Ali went to Skip Barber Racing School (Ohio)—three days/$3,000. Ali’s father paid and backed him in a rented car, then bought two cars. Ali persuaded local mechanics to work free until he found sponsors.
Pakistani and Indian ownership of convenience stores might seem like a stereotype, but Ali saw potential in its reality.
“I could tap into my community base and ask them to push Budweiser out the door.”
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