Candyce Marsh - Unstoppable Racer

Candyce Marsh
Unstoppable Racer, Former Girl Scout and Role Model

By Corilyn Shropshire

Candyce Marsh likes going fast, so fast that she's made it her business hot-rodding from zero to 208 miles per hour in six and a half seconds flat. When Candyce isn't busy racing in her soaped-up Pontiac Firebird, she's reminding young girls that with a bit of confidence, lots of drive—and the will to stick-to-it, nothing is out of their reach. "There wasn't a space for me" in drag racing, she says, "Until I decided to carve one out."

With that kind of confidence it's not shocking that Candyce, 26, had the guts to begin drag racing on the amateur circuit at age 17 while still managing to squeeze-in her insanely jam-packed schedule: cheerleading, the senior class presidency and college applications—you know the drill.

A decade later, Candyce has a mind for business, a master's degree in engineering, and a still, a major crush on speed—and that's not going away anytime soon. Last fall she turned pro near her hometown of Raleigh, N.C. and became what is believed to be the first African American woman drag racer.

Being a pro demands discipline, persistence and commitment with no guarantees of glory, and Candyce is going full-throttle—juggling the demands of managing Candyce Marsh Racing, the close-knit racing crew she and her Dad-turned-business partner, Clarence, assembled to help push her to the top of her sport. There's also killer workouts four times-per week to stay fit, and the involved process of working with her crew to prep her 2,300 horsepower car for the drag strip. The toughest part, Candyce says, is hunting down corporate sponsors to help fuel her dream of becoming a champion drag racer.

Oh yeah, in between all that–she's determined to have a life—catching up with friends over dinner, spending quality-time with her large, extended family and playing with her puppy, Zoe. "It's a daily balance and struggle," Candyce says, "but you have to do it." Perhaps, but that's enough to make an average girl ache for a rare day-off luxuriating in a mani/pedi or simply vegging-out. Instead, you're more likely to find Candyce as she recently was—hanging-out with a group of giggly eight to ten-year-olds at a birthday party at Applebee's.

Volunteering in her hometown, and being a role model to girls is just as important as racing, she says. "Not everyone is going to share their story with these girls and motivate them to be all they can be." So in between signing autographs and answering questions about her favorite food (fried chicken) and swapping tales about what they want to be when they grow up, Candyce dropped some pointers on what's important—stuff that all soon-to-be superstars should know. Coming from the mouth of a "big sister," with movie star looks and a super-cool job, Candyce's simple and obvious advice carries the weight of gold:

• Make education your top priority
• Keep an open mind. Listen to your parents, they want what's best for you
• Be safe. Wear a seatbelt
• Believe in yourself and don't waste too much time worrying about what other people think. Figure out your passion and then pursue it
• Lastly, be humble and take nothing for granted

It's not about finishing first, winning or becoming number one, but doing what you love, says Candyce. "Racing is my passion. It's what I've chosen to do."

Comments

[bucket trucks]

I am glad that she has her priorities in order. Family is always most important =)

[Amparo Curtis]

Oh wow, she's cool! Following her advice is a wise choice for young girls. If that means following her profession, then that is similarly okay as long as the girls practice safety in driving.

[mr rick mississauga]

One of the most promising female driver in her time! How cool is that? ;)

[restoration classic car]

I am really amazed with lady drivers and their skills.