Derek White Bio
Derek White (born December 9, 1970) is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver from Kahnawake, Quebec. He is of Mohawk descent and has competed part-time across several NASCAR national series, including the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and the ARCA Menards Series. White is also the co-founder of MBM Motorsports and has previously raced in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, where he was named Rookie of the Year in 2010.
Early Life and Background
Derek White was born on December 9, 1970, in Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada. He is a member of the Mohawk Nation, and his Indigenous heritage has remained a meaningful part of his public identity throughout his racing career. Growing up in the Kahnawake community near Montreal gave him an early connection to a region with deep roots in motorsports and trade.
Before turning to stock car racing, White spent thirty years drag racing in Canada, building a long résumé in straight-line competition. That experience helped him develop the car control and mechanical understanding he would later apply to oval and road course racing.
Path to NASCAR
White made the move to stock car racing in 2009, beginning with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. He ran five races that season and posted a best finish of eleventh in his series debut at Autodrome Saint-Eustache. The following year, he ran eleven of thirteen events and was named the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Rookie of the Year.
In 2014, White made a start in the American Canadian Tour, finishing twenty-second at Airborne Speedway. That same year, he formed Motorsports Business Management with driver Carl Long, creating the team that would later become known as MBM Motorsports.
Derek White Career
Early Career (2009–2011)
White’s early stock car career was centered on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. His best season came in 2010, when he ran eleven of thirteen races and earned two top-ten finishes, along with the series Rookie of the Year award. He continued to race in the Canadian series through 2015, with his best points result being fourteenth in 2010.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Breakthrough (2009–2025)
White made his Camping World Truck Series debut in 2009 at Martinsville Speedway, finishing twenty-third after starting thirty-fourth for team owner Mario Gosselin. He returned to the series in 2025, driving the No. 2 Ford F-150 for Reaume Brothers Racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway. After qualifying was cancelled due to weather, he started twenty-sixth and finished thirty-third after failing to maintain minimum speed past the halfway mark.
He also drove the No. 69 Ford F-150 for MBM Motorsports at Watkins Glen, where he earned his first top-twenty finish in the series, placing nineteenth. White has also competed in the ARCA Menards Series, debuting in 2025 at Michigan International Speedway in the No. 31 Toyota for Rise Motorsports.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (2012–2016)
White made his NASCAR Nationwide Series (now O’Reilly Auto Parts Series) debut in 2012 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where he was hired by SR² Motorsports as a road course ringer and finished a career-high eighteenth. In 2014, he expanded his role by fielding rides through MBM Motorsports, including entries for himself, Carl Long, and Mike Wallace.
In 2015, White and Long brought in Rick Ware and Curtis Key as partners, growing the team and adding the No. 40 car. His best points finish in the series came in 2015, placing thirty-sixth in the standings.
NASCAR Cup Series Appearance (2015)
On July 13, 2015, White announced he would make his Sprint Cup Series debut at the 5-hour Energy 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, driving for Circle Sport. He became the first Native American driver to attempt a Cup Series race. After qualifying forty-second, he finished thirty-ninth, eleven laps down.
Derek White Career Wins
Across his national series appearances, White has not recorded a win in the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, or ARCA Menards Series. His most notable career achievement remains the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Rookie of the Year award.
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Highlights
White’s strongest results came in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, where he recorded two top-ten finishes, both during the 2010 season. His first top ten came at the season-opener at Delaware Speedway, helping him secure Rookie of the Year honors that year. His best championship result in the series was fourteenth in 2010.
Other Wins and Performances
White’s pre-NASCAR background included three decades of drag racing in Canada, where he built his reputation as a versatile competitor. While he has not added national series victories, his role as a team owner with MBM Motorsports has given him a lasting presence in the NASCAR garage.
Derek White Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
White is of Mohawk descent and a member of the Kahnawake community in Quebec. His Indigenous heritage has been a central part of his public identity, including his historic 2015 Cup Series attempt as the first Native American driver to enter a race at NASCAR’s top level.
Personal Life
White has remained connected to his roots in Kahnawake throughout his racing career. He co-founded MBM Motorsports with driver Carl Long in 2014, building a team that has fielded cars for multiple drivers across NASCAR’s national series.
2025 Season Performance
White returned to NASCAR competition in 2025 after several years away from the track. He rejoined the Craftsman Truck Series with Reaume Brothers Racing, piloting the No. 2 Ford F-150 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. He later added an ARCA Menards Series start with Rise Motorsports at Michigan International Speedway, driving the No. 31 Toyota.
He also continued his long association with MBM Motorsports, driving the No. 69 Ford F-150 at Watkins Glen, where he posted a nineteenth-place finish for his best result of the season. His 2025 campaign has been focused on rebuilding momentum across multiple series while managing his dual role as a driver and team owner.
Looking ahead, White is expected to continue splitting time between the Craftsman Truck Series, the ARCA Menards Series, and select O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events. His experience as a road course ringer and his leadership at MBM Motorsports position him as a steady presence in the NASCAR garage as the 2025 season continues.
