Sport Stunner Nascar Racing

I saw a show on the Biography Channel about a racecar driver named J.T. who is a transsexual. Who is it?

My b/f says it isn’t possible for a Nascar driver to be a transsexual, and while I am not really trying to dispute THAT claim, I know I just watched the show and would like to prove I wasn’t trippin.

The driver is Terri O’Connell, formerly known as J.T. Hayes. I saw her on CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch a couple of months ago and your’s not `trippin.’
Do I get the 10 points?

http://www.terrioconnell.com/

http://tinyurl.com/lyc2m

A Southern Belle – Racing to be herself

Terri O’Connell started living full time as a woman in 1992 at age 28. She had her SRS in 1994 at age 30, with Dr. Stanley Biber in Trinidad, Colorado.

In the 1980′s, O’Connell, then known as James Terry (J.T.) Hayes, was a successful veteran midget-and-sprint-car driver. Terri grew up in the conservative town of Corinth, Mississippi and says she was “never comfortable as a boy.” After her transition was complete, she moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, living and working in anonymity. Terri sold purses at a department store and started her own graphic design company before becoming a part-time model in 1995, where she appeared in print and television ads in the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

In 1997, Terri O’Connell told her story of transition to a local newspaper. “Someone had to speak out,” said Terri. “Some people think all transsexuals are 6′ 2″, have big arms and are ugly.”

Terri O’Connell’s coming-out and going public has cost her much but hasn’t kept her out of the driver’s seat in racing and her need for speed. Terri has shared with her friends, “the end result of my ‘disclosure’ has made a difference in peoples lives and has out weighed any bad experiences I have encountered.”

Terri relates, after all of her media exposure, people still don’t really know who she is and actually don’t believe her when she tells them her amazing real life story of transition. Terri O’Connell feels she’s so very lucky to have experienced all her hard won successes and challenging adventures.

Terri says, “my dad and I had some real battles but ultimately, he became my biggest champion. If my family could survive the social mess coming from where we came from and people trying to destroy us, any one can.
Today, Ms. O’Connell has successfully blended back into the racing community. She has raced in NACAR’S top series, NEXTEL CUP. Terri has also dated several high level racing officials and was on the “A” list cocktail circuit all with out one person knowing her story.

Terri has said she believes in family values, probably more than most people do. “I’d love to be married, with 2.5 kids and a picket fence.” She currently lives with friends in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Terri O’Connell has generously agreed to be listed on this positive thinking website to inspire other searching souls to follow their own hopes and dreams. Terri O’Connell has more raw, spirited courage than NASCAR has horsepower. She represents a powerfully positive example of truly following her own dreams by winning her most important race…her lifetime race to simply be herself. – KAREN SERENITY

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