NASCAR driver says business owner in Monterey lit fire in him to make it big

A Navy lieutenant and NASCAR driver says it was a moment in Monterey that lit a fire in him to continue racing.

In a tweet with a video this morning Jesse Iwuji wrote, “She said ‘Jesse I’m sorry to say hun, but you will never get in racing unless you come from money, and you don’t’- Business owner in Monterey, CA in Feb 2015. The actual response out of my mouth: ‘Thank you for your time ma’am’ The actual response in my head: ‘Hold my beer…'”

Iwuji went from a D1A college football player to a lieutenant in the United States Navy and is now the only current driver in all of NASCAR at the national levels who has ever been in the military.

According to his bio, “It has been key for Iwuji, who is currently serving in the Navy Reserves, to honor his country while pursuing and attaining excellence. It should come as no surprise that he has championed companies and charities that give back to our men and women in uniform.”

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