Jesse Iwuji facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jesse Iwuji
Iwuji at ISM Raceway in 2018
Birth name	Jesse Ekene Iwuji
Born	(1987-08-12) August 12, 1987 (age 38) Carrollton, Texas, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	Navy
Years of service	2010–present
Rank	Commander
Website	www.jesseiwuji.com
College football career
Navy Midshipmen – No. 3
Position	Free safety
Major	General science
Personal information
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	182 lb (83 kg)
Career history
College	Navy (2005–2009)
Bowl games	2006 Meineke Car Care Bowl 2007 Poinsettia Bowl 2008 EagleBank Bowl 2009 Texas Bowl
High school	Hebron (Texas)
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
17 races run over 4 years
Car no., team	No. 91 (DGM Racing with Jesse Iwuji Motorsports)
2023 position	63rd
Best finish	43rd (2022)
First race	2020 Henry 180 (Road America)
Last race	2023 Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 0 0
NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series career
16 races run over 5 years
2022 position	105th
Best finish	39th (2019)
First race	2018 Chevrolet Silverado 250 (Mosport)
Last race	2022 Heart of America 200 (Kansas)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 0 0
Statistics current as of April 21, 2025.

Jesse Ekene Iwuji (born August 12, 1987) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He is also an officer in the United States Navy Reserve. He sometimes drives the No. 91 Chevrolet SS in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. His team is DGM Racing with Jesse Iwuji Motorsports.

Iwuji went to the United States Naval Academy, where he played college football and ran for the track and field team. On the football team, he was a free safety, a defensive player who helps protect against long passes.

After graduating in 2010, he became a surface warfare officer in the United States Navy. This means he was trained to lead sailors on warships. He served for seven years on active duty before moving to the Navy Reserve. Iwuji is a great example for both the military and NASCAR communities. He helps with many events that support soldiers and veterans.

Early Life and Military Path

Iwuji grew up in Texas and was a star athlete in high school, playing football and running track. The Naval Academy noticed his talent and offered him a scholarship. He enrolled at the Academy in 2005.

In college, he played as a free safety for the Navy's football team. He also competed in track, running in the 60-meter, 100-meter, and 200-meter dashes.

After graduating in 2010, Iwuji began his career as a surface warfare officer. He served on ships like the USS Comstock. In May 2017, he transitioned from full-time active duty to the Navy Reserve. In June 2025, he was promoted to the rank of Commander. He is currently stationed in Ventura, California.

Racing Career

How It All Started

Iwuji's interest in racing began in college. His football team visited the Lowe's Motor Speedway in North Carolina, and he got to ride in a car around the track. This sparked his passion for speed.

During his senior year, he started drag racing his own car. A few years later, he took his car to a speed trial and reached an amazing speed of 200.9 miles per hour. After this, he decided to get into professional stock car racing.

NASCAR and ARCA Series

Iwuji standing beside his No. 36 car before a race at Sonoma in 2017.

Iwuji (No. 36) racing against Nicole Behar (No. 33) and Derek Kraus (No. 19) at Sonoma in 2017.

Iwuji's No. 40 car at Sonoma in 2018.

In 2014, Iwuji tested a stock car for a racing team. A year later, he began competing in local races. He also made his first starts in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West, a regional NASCAR series that helps drivers get to the top levels.

In 2016, he began racing full-time in the K&N Pro Series West. He had a best finish of tenth place at Orange Show Speedway. For his hard work, he won the NASCAR Diverse Driver Award in 2017. This award is given to a driver who shows great performance and helps bring more people to motorsports.

In 2018, Iwuji made his debut in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. This is one of NASCAR's top three national series. He drove the No. 34 Chevrolet for Reaume Brothers Racing.

Climbing the Ranks

Jesse Iwuji driving the No. 74 Chevrolet for Mike Harmon Racing in 2021.

Iwuji continued to race in the Truck Series for the next few years. In August 2020, he made his first start in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, which is the level just below the famous Cup Series.

In 2021, Iwuji announced exciting news. He partnered with Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith to start his own Xfinity Series team called Jesse Iwuji Motorsports. They began competing in the 2022 season.

Personal Life and Giving Back

Iwuji's parents are from Nigeria, and he is of Igbo heritage. His family is very athletic. His mother was a track runner, and his younger brothers also played college football.

Iwuji is dedicated to helping others, especially military members. He is a racing ambassador for the Phoenix Patriot Foundation, a group that supports wounded soldiers. He often dedicates his races to a veteran and their family.

He also takes part in NASCAR's programs that honor the military. He once gave a four-year-old boy with a serious illness a ride in a two-seat stock car, creating a special memory for the child.

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.)

Xfinity Series

Camping World Truck Series

^* Season still in progress
¹ Ineligible for series points

ARCA Racing Series

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

K&N Pro Series East

K&N Pro Series West