Janet Guthries World 600 qualifying plaque is on display in Heritage Speedway at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. FMCC men's and women's basketball teams sweep regional titles 1 for the season-opening Daytona 500, the biggest race on the NASCAR schedule. The NASCAR fan base is also overwhelmingly white. [15] While the program has succeeded in launching the careers of minority drivers including NASCAR Cup Series race winner Kyle Larson, Camping World Truck Series race winner Bubba Wallace, and 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Daniel Surez, the program's early years were less effective in expanding the roster of female drivers in NASCAR's top touring series. It wasn't until 2012, 64 years after NASCAR was founded, that it signed its first female pit crew member, Christmas Abbott. Brehanna Daniels Is Making History as NASCAR's First Black Female Tire Her last race for NASCAR Xfinity Series was in the 2006 AT&T 250 (Milwaukee). Female NASCAR drivers on the challenges in competing in the male The full-time Camping World Truck Series driver was vying to make her first Cup Series start and become the first female to compete in the series since Danica Patrick retired from NASCAR in 2018 . We shall talk about Jennifer Jo Cobb on our list of top female NASCAR drivers. Paris Berelc is suiting up for an adult role in the new Netflix NASCAR-inspired comedy series The Crew as up-and-coming race car driver Jessie de la Cruz, who is trying to bump Jake Martin . In 2011, she delivered the commencement speech for the graduating class of Unidad of Miami Beach & the New Generation Leadership and Workforce Institute's (NGLWI). At least 125 women have qualified for and started a race in one of NASCAR's touring series, including 16 in the NASCAR Cup Series. Tia Norfleet wears $1,600 custom racing suits to work, but her chosen profession is far from posh, requiring both laser focus in the moment and continuous off-season training. Amber Balcaen Driver Profile | Amber Balcaen Racing [17][21], In 2012, Danica Patrick was voted NASCAR's Most Popular Nationwide Driver, becoming the first woman to receive that award in NASCAR's top three divisions. In 2011, she started driving the No. Born in 1969, Tina Gordon is one of the top female NASCAR drivers in history. Only three have been women of color. Finding sponsors as one of the only African-American racers proved incredibly difficult, and Norfleet found himself working harder than his peers to maintain positive relationships within motorsports. She finished 3rd in the 2020 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Louise Smith. Though there have been strides over the years to diversify the male-dominated sport of auto racing, there are currently no female drivers competing at NASCAR's highest level, the Cup Series. In 2020, she competed at the ARCAs Daytona. She would break the record weeks later and she would finish the season as the first woman to make 100 starts in NASCARs Cup series. At the 2013 Daytona 500, Patrick became the first female driver to clinch pole position and lead a green flag lap. Are you looking for fast and fabulous women in the racing field? Danica Patrick - First Female NASCAR Driver. She joined NASCAR in 2016 as part of the organization's "Drive for Diversity" program. March is Womens History Month, a 31-day celebration that was formally recognized by the federal government back in 1987. Why wouldn't that be talked about?," Daniels said. [3], 2021 saw a number of milestones for female drivers. There are . Louise Smith (1949-1956) Louise Smith, tied for second female NASCAR driver alongside Ethel, became known as "The First Lady of Racing.". The 21-year-old, who once only drove go-karts, said racing at Daytona is an "unreal" dream come true. Danica Patricks 2013 Daytona 500 pole award is on display in Heritage Speedway at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Hailie Deegan, the daughter of Motocross and X Games icon Brian Deegan, is a three-time winner in what is now called the ARCA Menards Series West and was the first female driver to ever win races in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Yet, if she had not pursued her passion, she would not see her days when she had bagged numerous wins and awards. 11 August 1983 (age 39) Charlie Christina Martin born. "When you're new and then you're also a woman on top of that? Based on NASCAR's own data, provided to The Associated Press, 25% of fans identify as multicultural, only 9% as Black. Leilani Munter - American IndyCar series driver Danica Patrick joined NASCAR in 2010. Instagram. The series exists since 2009, but was not officially affiliated with NASCAR until 2012. NASCAR denies Jennifer Jo Cobb's Talladega Cup Series race entry Don't miss a story! [22], In 2013, Patrick became the first woman in Sprint Cup history to have a full-time ride in the series (with Stewart-Haas Racing),[22] and eventually the first female driver to clinch the pole position and lead a green flag lap, both occurring at the 2013 Daytona 500, becoming the first woman to lead both the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500. She was 42nd in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2020 and her best finish was 31st in 2019. The 20 year old ARCA rookie earned pole position during the season opener in Daytona, making her the 3rd woman in ARCA history and the fourth in Daytonas 60 year existence to start a race from pole position. [23] In 2014, Patrick became the first woman to race in the 2014 Sprint Unlimited. Known as The Fastest Woman in Racing, Vicki Wood never competed in a Cup Series race, but in the 1950s, she set speed records on Daytona Beach during NASCAR time trials. Toni Breidinger, 21, who is of Lebanese descent, has become the first Arab-American female to race in Nascar. Named for the type of gasoline her father used in his taxi, Ethel Flock Mobley competed in more than 100 Modified stock car races in her career. Janet Guthrie (33 / 1976-1980) List of female NASCAR drivers - Wikipedia What he needed, he decided, was a female driver who could handle the challenges of the track and hopefully bring more women out to the races. Drivers say more funding is key to supporting women on the track. 3. Danica Patrick's Net Worth (Updated 2023) | Inspirationfeed In 2018, Hailee started driving full-time and won the West Series Championship, making history. In 2013, Patrick became the first woman in Sprint Cup history to race full-time in the series. Dominique won Super Late Model Track Champion in 2012 Springport Motor Speedway Outlaw. In September, Trotter became the 4th woman to win a late model race at Hickory Motor Speedway. Born in Massachusetts, Erin started in the NASCAR field in 2005, where she created ten starts and received the 67th best finish the following year. All Rights Reserved. 71 Ford placed 14th. Feb 21, 2018. But she officially started racing in 1993 from the Xfinity Series and then made her Camping World Truck debut in 2003. Born and raised in Iowa, now retired, Robinson started her career for the Spring Cup Series in 1995. Angela Cope Inside Her Truck (Source: Wikipedia). In 2017, Brehanna Daniels, an alum of the Drive for Diversity program, became the first Black female over-the-wall tire changer in NASCAR's history. Jennifer Jo Cobb. "People were like, 'oh, she sucks,' 'what does it matter that she's Black?' Another female racer, Louise Smith raced 11 times in the Cup Series between 1949 and 1952, with a best finish of 16 th at Langhorne Speedway in 1949. However, she did not race for Youngs Motorsports as she left them to join Venturini Motorsports in July. Breidinger hopes programs like Busch Light's will have a "snowball effect" in encouraging more brands to sponsor female drivers. In that first race at Charlotte in 1949, she became the first female driver to compete in NASCARs top division, qualifying 13th and finishing 14th in a Ford owned by her husband, Frank. She's continued to set records: In 2013, she became the first female NASCAR driver to take a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole in the 2013 Daytona 500; her eighth place finish is the highest finish . Born in Ontario, she got her degree in Mechanical Engineering. Quick Facts She retired from full-time competition after the 2017 season. Also in 2020, the former K&N Pro Series East and K&N Pro Series West became the ARCA Menards Series East and ARCA Menards Series West, respectively. Two year later, Patrick would earn the pole at the 2012 DRIVE4COPD 300, becoming the first female driver since Shawna Robinson to clinch it. The majority of the NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup has been finalized for the 2023 season. It's as close to a biopic as Junior Johnson (driver, and later team owner) would ever get, and it delves deep into the bad boy image of "Junior Jackson," a bootlegger turned racing impresario. To this day, her fifth-place finish at Heidelberg Raceway (which, in 1960, became the first track to fall off NASCAR's tour) remains the only top-five finish for a woman in NASCAR. Their No. Her fourth-place finish was the highest ever for a female driver, besting the previous record of ninth set by Janet Guthrie in 1978. You don't see that every day in NASCAR. Tom is the Curatorial Affairs Manager of the NASCAR Hall of Fame and a veteran of more than 20 years in the NASCAR media industry. If you're a Black consumer, it's hard to enjoy the sports or the leisure or the activity when you're surrounded by this ambiance or this effervescence that's racially discriminating.". 10 Best Female NASCAR Drivers Of All Time - sportsunfold.com Natalie Decker sits in her truck during practice for the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series World of Westgate Las Vegas 200 in Las Vegas Sept. 13, 2019. In 1986, Patty Moise would become the first woman to lead in a Busch Series race.[11]. Despite competing on only six of eight races, Christian finished 13th in points in 1949, her only full season of competition. Another woman (Alina Loibnegger) finished second, in the first time ever two women finished 12 in NASCAR history. Women in NASCAR | Official Site Of NASCAR Marie-Claude Charmasson is a lesser-known female race car driver who we think deserves more recognition. Decker ( leftmost in the photo above) is seen as the future. Dr. Ketra Armstrong, a professor of race and inclusion in sports at the University of Michigan, told ABC News. In 2007, she earned the title of the first female driver winner at Charlotte Motor Speedway. She was also invited to NASCARs 2019 Drive for Diversity. Christians next race was even better, as she finished fifth at Pittsburghs Heidelberg Raceway. Although she hasnt participated in the Sprint Cut Series, she is someone to keep an eye on. Passed Indianapolis 500 driver's test: May 8, 2005. In 2012, Patrick would eventually race part-time . #10-Danica Patrick made NASCAR history today during Coors Light Pole qualifying for the Daytona 500, becoming the first female driver to win a pole at NASCAR's top level - the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Since 2004, NASCAR has worked to develop female and ethnically diverse drivers through its Drive for Diversity Program. Recently, celebrities like basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan and rapper Pitbull have invested in the sport, helping diversify the face of NASCAR's team ownership -- investments that could help drive new interest. [7] Through the 1950s and 1960s, female racers made only a handful of starts in NASCAR's touring series. "There was a time where when you think about race and sport, NASCAR would be on the not-so-positive end of the spectrum," Armstrong said. Born in 1973, Cobb has been an active name in the industry. Wedding, Kids & Girlfriends. In Australia, Terri Sawyer[13] won the Moomba 100 NASCAR race at the Calder Park Thunderdome, Melbourne on March 3, 1991 driving a Pontiac. Meet NASCAR's First Arab-American Female Driver, 21-Year-Old Toni Breidinger The 21-year-old will make her debut at Daytona International Speedway on February 13. Get to Know These Top Female Drivers. Patrick would record a major milestone by clinching the pole position in the 2012 DRIVE4COPD 300, being the first female driver to clinch it since Shawna Robinson. Toni Breidinger says that when she sat behind the wheel of a go-kart at age 9, she knew she would become a race car driver. . Both Bobby and Tia fondly remember how he added a little extra power her to her Barbie car when she was just a small tyke, which led to her love of zooming around at top speed. She married fellow short track driver and Kyle Busch Motorsports engineer Hunter Robbins. [16] However, Patrick would finish 38th after a crash. List of female NASCAR drivers | Stock car racing Wiki | Fandom Britany is a young stock car racer competing part-time at the ARCA Menards Series. So, Courtney, of course, feels advantages of having a sister as a champion of Funny Car division and father, John Force. Louise Smith: The First Lady of NASCAR. "It's really difficult to gain respect, be trusted and for someone to really understand that you know what you're doing. Which is pretty much the standard for most competitive sports, isn't it? In 1998, her full-time career as a racer began, and she flourished to the NASCAR Pro series by 1999. In 1997, Kirk raced for the Camping World Truck Series and received her best points in the twentieth position. In 2013, she finished eight and became the first female NASCAR driver to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series pole, turning in the fastest qualifying lap since 1990 in qualifying for the Daytona 500 . Photo courtesy of NASCAR Archives & Research Center via Getty Images. The following year, Robinson became the first woman to earn the pole position in a NASCAR race. She worked her way through the local series and was the first female late-model driver to win at Hickory Speedway.. Wallace has made seven Truck series and 2 Xfinity series starts. [32], Formerly Strictly Stock Series (1949), Grand National Series (195070), Winston Cup Series (19712003), Nextel Cup Series (200407), Sprint Cup Series (200816), and Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (201719), Formerly Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series (198283), Busch Grand National Series (198494), Busch Grand National Division (19952003), Busch Series (200407), Nationwide Series (200814) and Xfinity Series (2015), Formerly SuperTruck Series by Craftsman (1995), Craftsman Truck Series (19962008), Camping World Truck Series (20092018), and Gander Outdoors Truck Series (2019). At 29 years of age, Amber has successfully utilized her racing platform to be one of motorsport's largest female influencers - Inspiring and motivating others to pursue their dreams . She made her debut at the Daytona International Speedway. The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program also aims for diversity across the sport, including the crew. Since then, only 15 pit crew members have been women, according to . Though she competed in just seven races over the course of her career, she opened the door to racing for generations of women to come. Since the 20th Century, female drivers have been leaving their mark on NASCAR history. "I think it's really becoming more intentional in addressing its past, its racist past and things that they can do better to respond to this multicultural generation in this multicultural market in which it operates.". . Female NASCAR Drivers That Deserve a Shot at the Cup Series Soon Interestingly, the 1949 Daytona NASCAR event was the first to feature three female racers - Christian, Mobley and Smith - while the same three drivers also raced at Langhorne in 1949, the last NASCAR race with three female drivers. She found out about the NASCAR tryout from a friend . She has competed in one NASCAR-sanctioned event. The First African-American Female NASCAR Driver. Then in 2018, Trotter was chosen as one of the 12 racers for NASCARS Drive for Diversity. However, due to the race not having practice and qualifying, NASCAR would not approve Cobb to compete in it with her lack of prior Cup Series experience. There are two straight-shooting, let's-take-NASCAR-seriously flicks on this list, and "The Last American Hero" is one of them. She has established herself as one of the hottest racing drivers, as well as one of the hottest female athletes in general. Louise Smith: The First Lady of NASCAR - Hertz Travel Blog Some of her other awards are the 2005 Indianapolis 500 Rookie and the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series. Born August 27, 2001, Gracie Trotter is the 2nd female to win a West Series Race. Having a taste of the first race, Sara competed in five more competitions in 1949, finishing sixth and . Moving forward in her career, after concluding the 2016 NASCAR K&N, she debuted at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. 10 Best Female NASCAR Drivers Ever Ranked In 2020 Patrick would record a major milestone by clinching the pole position in the 2012 DRIVE4COPD 300, being the first female driver to clinch it since Shawna Robinson. Top-Ten Finishes by a female driver in the NASCAR Cup Series: Sara Christian, Pittsburgh, 10-2-1949, 5th (out of 23 cars) . Top 10 Essential NASCAR Stats and Facts. Pioneering Female Race Car Drivers - Your AAA Network Interestingly, the 1949 Daytona NASCAR event was the first to feature three female racers Christian, Mobley and Smith while the same three drivers also raced at Langhorne in 1949, the last NASCAR race with three female drivers. Dominique Van Wieringen is a Canadian stock car racer racing part-time at the ARCA Menards for Rette Jones. At the age of 12, she progressed to legends car races. The first Daytona 500 was held in 1959. During her teens, she slowly moved up to the Auto racing ranks and is now at the age of 21, the only woman with 19 United States Auto Club Wins. 20 Toyota, owned by her family. However, Patrick would finish 38th after a crash. She is one of the 16 women to ever participate in the NASCAR Cup Series and one of only three female drivers to race in the Daytona 500. Born and raised in Georgia, Tammy started as a racer in the Xfinity series in 2003. In 2016, Amber made Canadian history when she became the 1 st Canadian female to win a NASCAR Sanctioned race in the USA. Here is the list: Louise Smith (11 starts/from 1949-1952) Danica Patrick. Career highlights: Shares distinction of NASCAR's second female driver with Louise Smith, made more than 100 NASCAR Modified starts. Zamora debuted in the ARCA Menards Series preseason test session in January 2021. She also won the 2021 Trans Am Series SGT Class ProAm Challenge. Ethel was among the early female race drivers in the NASCAR scene. After a 7th place finish in Martinsville a year later, Patrick tied Guthrie for most Top 10 finishes by a female NASCAR driver. Toni Breidinger (born July 14, 1999) is an American professional stock car racing driver & Victoria's Secret Model who competes full-time for Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. The article claimed that she had faced criminal charges in her youth, which Tia has not denied. She has confirmed that she is the first black woman to receive a NASCAR racing license, and has publicly spoken about her desire to someday race at Daytona, once she has moved up through ARCA and NASCARrankings. "Girl, you are crazy" she told ABC News about what the person she was at 17 would think about her now, a NASCAR pit crew member. [17] In 2012, Patrick would eventually race part-time in the Sprint Cup Series. In 2018, she won Washington State Rookie and was selected as one of the invitees to Drive for Diversity. Buddy Baker (1941-2015) Getty Images / ISC Archives. After a hiatus to start a family, Shawna Robinson returned to stock car racing in 1999, contesting a full ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series season in 2000 before returning to sporadic NASCAR-sanctioned competition over the following several seasons. Danica Patrick In 2019 Camping World 500 (Source: Wikimedia). She is the first female driver to lead a Busch Series event. 107 women have qualified for and started at least one race in one of NASCARs touring series, including 16 at NASCARs premier level. Besides racing, she runs Tinas Dream Ranch business and is also politically active. Driver Jennifer Jo Cobb poses for a photo during at Clutch Studios on January 19, 2022, in Concord, North Carolina. NASCAR's first Arab American female driver to make her debut at - CNN "It's great that men and women can compete in NASCAR. In 2019, Manami Kobayashi became the third woman to win a race in a NASCAR touring series race. [10] In 1977, Janet Guthrie would become the first woman to lead a Winston Cup Series race under caution, at Ontario Speedway. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Brehanna Daniels makes history at NASCAR as 1st Black woman pit member While the media paints Tia Norfleet as a liar and a criminal, it seems that she was right on par with other young drivers trying to find their way in the wild world of motorsports. The Busch Light Accelerate Her Program, which is being announced timed to the Daytona 500 this Sunday, marks a $10 million commitment from the brand to sponsor every female driver in NASCAR ages 21 and up over the next three years. Amber Balcaen became the first Canadian woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the U.S. in 2016. Let's check out five female NASCAR drivers that deserve a shot in the Cup Series.