Peggy Llewellyn
Drag racing //
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Peggy Llewellyn blazed through NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle racing to become the first woman of color to win a professional motorsports event in 2007 at Dallas.
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When you are going 190+mph and covering the quarter mile in 6.92 seconds it feels smooth. You don’t realize you are going that fast because you are tucked under the fairing, keeping your eye on your target and shifting the bike on time.
For me, though, it wasn’t enough!
All dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. I did pursue my goal of racing professionally and I still have a lot of goals that I want to accomplish, but most importantly is to leave a legacy. Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams!
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FULL BIO: Peggy Llewellyn
Peggy Llewellyn is a trailblazing NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle drag racer who made history as the first woman of color to win a professional motorsports event. Born into a racing family in San Antonio, Texas, she overcame financial setbacks to achieve breakthrough success and establish her own professional racing team.
EARLY YEARS
Born December 26, 1972, in San Antonio, Texas, Peggy Maria Llewellyn grew up surrounded by motorcycles and racing culture. Her father Gene, who immigrated from Kingston, Jamaica in 1967, owned Southeast Cycles motorcycle repair shop, which he opened in 1977. This family business became the foundation of her racing passion. By age 7, Peggy was riding pocket rocket bikes capable of 30 mph, racing around local tracks with her brother. “For me, though, it wasn’t enough!” she later recalled. Her multicultural heritage—American, Mexican, and Jamaican—shaped her perspective, while her parents’ support helped her break through gender stereotypes in motorsports. The pivotal moment came in 1996 when she watched three women attempt NHRA qualification, inspiring her to pursue professional racing.
OTHER INTERESTS
Beyond racing, Peggy has built a career in real estate, working as an Assistant Property Manager and training as a real estate agent during her hiatus from motorsports. Her musical tastes span genres from Fleetwood Mac and Aerosmith to TLC and Gospel. She finds inspiration in the movie “Secretariat” and dreams of visiting Jamaica, her father’s homeland. When traveling the NHRA circuit, her favorite stop is Sonoma, California, where she enjoys the wine country atmosphere.
EARLY SUCCESS
Peggy first obtained her NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle license in the early 2000s, racing six professional events in 2001. However, financial constraints forced her to step away from the sport after that season. She didn’t qualify at Houston in 2001, but as she put it, “I had accomplished my goal of getting the chance to compete at that level and experience everything that came with being a professional drag racer.” During her six-year hiatus, she focused on real estate while staying connected to racing through mental preparation techniques taught by mentor George Bryce. Her comeback in 2007 was nothing short of spectacular, securing sponsorship and returning to competition with renewed determination.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2007: First woman of color to win a professional motorsports event at the NHRA POWERade Dallas event, defeating Andrew Hines in the final with a time of 6.928 seconds at 193.24 mph.
- 2007: Finished in the top five in NHRA POWERade Series standings and qualified for both the Countdown to 4 and Countdown to 1.
- 2008: Advanced to semi-finals in Denver and qualified for 5 of 6 races during a shortened season.
- 2010: Became the first woman of color to own, operate, and race for a professional NHRA drag racing team with 2 Wheel Woman Racing.
- 2023: Successfully re-licensed and returned to NHRA competition after years away from the sport.
INSPIRATIONS
Her father Gene Llewellyn remains her greatest influence, both through his immigrant journey and his deep involvement in motorcycle culture. Mentor George Bryce taught her crucial mental preparation techniques, including visualization runs. She draws motivation from Walt Disney’s quote: “All dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” The three women she watched attempt NHRA qualification in 1996 sparked her professional racing aspirations, while the movie “Secretariat” continues to inspire her pursuit of excellence against the odds.
REPUTATION
Peggy is universally regarded as a pioneering figure who broke significant barriers in professional motorsports. Her historic 2007 victory wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a watershed moment for diversity in racing. Known for her racecraft and consistency, she earned respect through performance rather than publicity. Her decision to own and operate her own team demonstrated business acumen alongside racing skill. Media coverage consistently highlights her perseverance through financial hardship and her role as a trailblazer. Among peers, she’s praised for her mental approach to racing and her supportive attitude toward other women entering motorsports. Her comeback story resonates throughout the racing community as proof that determination can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
After successfully re-licensing in 2023 with support from longtime friend and sponsor Bob LaGuardia, Peggy continues working with Gary Stoffer on a Suzuki bike setup. While no confirmed 2025 racing schedule has been publicly announced, her recent return to competition suggests ongoing racing aspirations. She remains focused on leaving a legacy in motorsports while balancing her real estate career. Her goal extends beyond personal achievement to inspiring others to pursue their dreams regardless of barriers they might face.
References:
Wikipedia – Peggy Llewellyn
NHRA Official Racing News
Stream Realty Interview
Essence Magazine Feature
Jamaicans.com Profile
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