Terri O'Connell

Terri Leigh O'Connell (born July 7, 1964) is a former motorsports racing champion, artist, author, and fashion model. Her autobiography, Dangerous Curves, was published in 2008.

Terri O'Connell
BornJ.T. Hayes
(1964-07-07) July 7, 1964
Corinth, Mississippi
NASCAR Cup Series career
1 race run over 1 year
Best finish101st 1990
First race1990 GM Goodwrench 500 (Rockingham)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0

Life

Terri O'Connell (born J.T. Hayes) won national championships in go-kart/midget car/sprint car competitions across the country. She rose to compete in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series; driving the No. 91 Crossroads City of Corinth Ford Thunderbird for Donlavey Racing in 1990 at North Carolina Motor Speedway, now known as Rockingham Speedway. O'Connell amassed over 500 career victories throughout her career.

O'Connell never psychologically felt like a man. She had sex reassignment surgery in 1994 following a near-fatal 1991 motor accident. "I was trapped upside down, engine throttle stuck, fuel running all over the racetrack and me. The accident didn't scare me, but the thought that I hadn't lived life to its full potential just ran chill bumps up and down my body." She legally changed her name from J. T. Hayes to Terri O'Connell.

O'Connell, a former model, also created the first apparel company for the female race fan called "Speedsters" in 1995. She also owns an Apparel/Art Company, "Dangerous Curves Society". In 2011, O'Connell began racing again as part of an all female driving team headed up by Dick Barbour Racing of Atlanta, Georgia.

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Winston Cup Series

NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 NWCC Pts
1990 Donlavey Racing 91 Ford DAY RCH CAR
38
ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV SON POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL 101st 49

References

  • Rosenberg, Debra. "(Rethinking) Gender." Newsweek. 21 May 2007: 106–109. Print.


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