Tyrone Stanley

From TM Pedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Tyrone Stanley (born 1971 in Charleston, South Carolina) is a American racecar driver currently competing part time in the TM Master Cup Series for Racing for the Community. He is one of only four African American drivers to compete in the TM Master Cup Series in the past decade (the others being Stuart Sandoval, Treven Terrell, and C.J. Long) and by far the most successful, with 17 wins. He is the second African American driver to win a Master Cup race, the first being Jackie P. Winters in 1984. Before his first win, Stanley was largely considered to be a hard-luck driver who showed a special talent despite driving for midfield or backmarker teams. He is known for his outspoken but charitable nature off the track.

2006 Karjala Grand Prix[edit | edit source]

By far Stanley's most controversial win was the 2006 Karjala Grand Prix. Earlier in the race, Steve Marshall, for no known reason, spun Stanley off the road. With under five laps to go, Marshall looked poised to take the first win at the race for National Racing. However, in the closing laps, Tyrone Stanley attempted to pass Marshall, but Marshall tried to run him off the road. An irate Stanley ran Marshall off the road going through the Dwyer S, igniting a great deal of fan reaction. This was largely due to Marshall putting Alexis Rainsford, who had dominated the first half of the race, off the road. Stanley remained unapologetic, saying that; "Marshall shouldn't play those games... some people out there hit harder than he does". Attempts were made by Marshall and the National Racing team to get the win taken away from Stanley, but they were unsuccessful.

2007-2009[edit | edit source]

Driving for Camelot Racing Stanley scored wins at the Grand Detour of Southern Illinois in 2007 and at the 2008 Round of Salem. 2009 was difficult for Stanley. He failed to win a race for the first time since 2005, and Arthur Thomas fired Stanley at the conclusion of the season, along with the teams' other two drivers, Kurt Walker and Daniel Leckliter.

ASCC Career[edit | edit source]

Despite protests against an African American participating in the series, Stanley joined the ASCC in 2010. He was by far the fastest Sellick that year and actually qualified on the pole for the 2010 Georgia 400 but his car failed post race inspection and his time was disallowed.

TM Master Cup Series comeback[edit | edit source]

Stanley made his first TM Master Cup Series start in almost a year at the 2010 Round of Alabama substituting for Yuliya Nosova in the #7 car for Katzev he ran very well considering he had no testing in the problematic Katzev. Stanley made several displays of exceptional car control throughout the race, but was taken out in an accident. Stanley believes he could have contended for the win, but was happy for the opportunity.

Independent's Trophy[edit | edit source]

Stanley was the first entry into the 2011 Independent's Trophy, which he entered with his own McDonald's sponsored Omecha MA02. He has led the Independent's Trophy points for most of the season despite a penalty at Carbondale.