Myles Rowe Makes History as First Black Driver to Win IndyCar Championship 

By Adeke Chukwuka

Myles Rowe, racing for Pabst Racing with Force Indy in car #99, secured his inaugural major championship in American open-wheel racing at Portland International Raceway.

In doing so, he became the first black major American open-wheel racing champion. Rowe, aged 23, triumphed in six out of 17 races during the season, earning a scholarship valued at $664,500. This scholarship will support his progression to the Indy NXT series in 2024.

Myles Rowe faced tough competition from Brazilian racer Kiko Porto, who posed a challenge in the races, narrowing Rowe’s lead in points. Rowe needed strong performances to secure the championship. Despite finishing second and third, he managed to clinch victory, ensuring his title win.

Rowe’s journey to the IndyCar Series began through Penske Entertainment Corp.’s Race for Equality and Change initiative, leading to support from Team Penske’s Force Indy Team in the USF2000 championship. Despite initial struggles, Rowe won his first race in 2021, becoming the series’ first black driver to achieve this milestone.

Despite challenges and a loss of sponsorship, Myles Rowe persevered, winning races at St. Pete and Barber and securing a runner-up championship finish. His dedication led to an opportunity in the USF Pro 2000 series. Rowe, with a passion for racing since childhood, previously won the 2018 Lucas Oil Formula Car Race Series to test his abilities.

Myles Rowe’s victory in IndyCar-sanctioned races holds great significance as he becomes the first African-American driver to achieve this feat. He follows in the footsteps of George Mack and Willy T. Ribbs, who, despite competing full-time in the premier IndyCar series, never claimed a victory. Rowe’s historic win marks a notable milestone in the sport.