Sam Belnavis, the former Chief Diversity Officer and Owner-Designate for Roush Fenway Racing and a motorsports pioneer, died Wednesday.
Belnavis was a trailblazer as a Black general manager and team owner in NASCAR. He introduced the National Guard as a sponsor of his team, BelCar Racing, with crew chief Travis Carter and driver Todd Bodine.
— NASCAR —
Statements from NASCAR and Roush Fenway:
NASCAR statement on the passing of Sam Belnavis, one of NASCAR's first African American pioneers: pic.twitter.com/C4IWt74UuE
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 15, 2021
Roush Fenway statement on the passing of Sam Belnavis, who served as the team's chief diversity officer for a number of years and was a pioneer in promoting diversity and inclusion in motorsports. pic.twitter.com/xOanESKoje
— Roush Fenway (@roushfenway) July 15, 2021