Tia Norfleet - NASCAR Pioneer or High Speed Fraud?

NASCAR has a problem when you go so fast that you can't stop to tell the truth. 

Tia Norfleet has a lot to gain as the first African American female NASCAR driver. Fame, recognition by her peers, millions of screaming fans, not to mention the sponsors who would be waiting to sell her as Tiger Woods meets Danica Patrick. She would gain recognition as potentially the biggest product to come out of NASCAR's Driver for Diversity program. There's only one small problem. 

She may be a liar. 

Norfleet claims to be a licensed NASCAR driver, but that's only partly true. Norfleet has bought licenses to compete at local and regional events, but that's equivalent to playing organized games at the YMCA and calling yourself an NBA player. NASCAR doesn't regulate minor-league racing events, but they get really cheesed when you pretend to be in their big leagues as Norfleet has done by putting the 2013 Nationwide Series schedule on her website and as her race schedule. Not only is Norfleet not approved to race in the Nationwide Series, she may not even be qualified. 

"Ms. Norfleet is one of thousands of individuals who have purchased licenses in the Late Model Division of our sport," NASCAR VP for Public Affairds and Multicultural Development Marcus Jadotte said to the New York Times. "I am uncomfortable with attempts Ms. Norfleet and her representatives have made to forgo the sport's development process." 

Norfleet told the Times that she raced "all the time" in nonsanctioned events. According to ESPNW, the 37 wins in 52 starts that Norfleet boasts were in a drag racing series, not NASCAR. Norfleet looks nice in a racing suit as seen on her website. In fact, she's had only one sanctioned start. That was last August when she completed all of one lap before parking a car, something that other drivers say is a blessing in disguise, citing her obvious inexperience. 

Well, at least she's not hiding anything else...well, except her real name and criminal record. Tia's real name is Shauntia Latrice Norfleet and she's got a criminal record in Georgia and Virginia. 

Norfleet has a shot at NASCAR's development system. She's marketed herself well enough to have name recognition, but she also has the opportunity to hinder other women or minorties such as Darrell Wallace, Jr  or Kyle Larson hoping to go fast enough to prove that they deserve a chance.