Mieshael Henry is not just a rising star in drag racing; she’s redefining what it means to be a trailblazer in the sport. As an African American female racer, she’s breaking barriers while inspiring others.
Despite only racing for a year, her passion, grit, and perseverance have already significantly impacted the racing community. She’s garnered media attention, competed in major events like the NHRA Sonoma Nationals, and stood as the sole female racer in the West Coast Outlaw Association.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #191, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November / December of 2024.]
Yet, Henry’s journey isn’t solely about racing – she’s also giving back to her community, engaging in outreach for the less fortunate, and even authoring a children’s book that highlights her own story.
Henry’s path to racing started early as she was influenced by her father and his participation in the sport, moving from street racing in San Francisco to Sacramento Raceway. The Henry family enjoyed many years competing at the track, and as the years passed, Mieshael began to persuade her parents, especially her mother, to let her climb behind the wheel.
“My mom would say no because, at the time, there weren’t any women in the racing scene,” says Henry. However, she remained patient and persistent.
By 2019, Henry’s father planned to send her to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School (FHDRS), but COVID-19 delayed her dream. Despite the setback, her ambition never wavered, and after enrolling in the school and her parents finally giving her the green light, Henry attended the FHDRS and earned her license.
“I got my license on the 14th of September, and from there, we raced at Sacramento Raceway before it closed down and at Bakersfield [Famoso Dragstrip], so we were racing back-to-back every other weekend,” she explains.
Reflecting on her licensing and racing experience thus far, Henry describes it as surreal.
“I knew I was going to race, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon,” she shares. “It was also like, wow, my dad is passing the torch. I wanted him to feel like it was OK to pass the torch and let somebody else get behind the wheel, and I was so happy that my dad did that.”
In March, during Women’s History Month, KTVU Channel 2 News highlighted her story as an African American woman in drag racing, and she made a strong impression in Big Tire at Sonoma Raceway’s Race Wars.
“I gained so many fans at that race,” Henry explains. “There were so many people there that were showing me so much love because I’m the only woman in the class right now driving.”
Henry’s plans don’t stop there – she’s aiming for a 4.30-second pass in her 1968 Pontiac Firebird named “ILLICIT,” formerly driven by her father, in the eighth mile to achieve her 6.90-pass by the end of the season. Then, she hopes to transition to a supercharged door car in the next couple of years.
“My future goal is to run anywhere between 5.20s and 5.90s in the quarter mile,” adds Henry.
Furthermore, her journey extends beyond the track. Henry has developed a children’s book titled I Want to Go Fast to inspire the next generation.
“It sums up how I got into drag racing, following my father’s footsteps up until I got my license,” she says.
When asked about advice for aspiring racers, Mieshael answers, “Push for it, and if this is something you truly want to do, keep learning, learn the culture of drag racing, and fall in love with it over and over again.
“Always have a positive mindset, stay focused, and let no distractions get in the way,” adds Henry. “Don’t give up because there will always be somebody who tells you not to do it; you can’t do it, but just do it because you don’t know where your road might take you. Today, you might just be starting off learning how to race, and tomorrow, you may be the top woman in the racing industry or influencer.”
This story was originally published on February 10, 2025. 
