Charlie Wiggins

Charlie Wiggins was a great African American racetrack pioneer. He was known for fighting for the rights of black mechanics and drivers in the race car community. Due to racism Charlie had to form his own racing association. It was called the Gold & Glory Sweepstakes. Charlie was such a good driver that he won the Sweepstakes 4 times and became known as the “Black Speed King” of the racing community. Not only was Charlie a great race car driver he was also an awesome mechanic. Everyone in his city came to him to get their cars fixed, even white racing drivers that competed in the Indi 500 motor race. Charlie Wiggins was such a good driver and mechanic that he almost won a car race with his own homemade car! He lost by only 1.2 seconds. Amazing!