But here we have brought you 16 Best Female NASCAR Drivers who prove they are here to change the stereotype. She was also invited to NASCARs 2019 Drive for Diversity. Since 2009, the program has trained 75 gender and ethnically diverse candidates for NASCAR's pit crews. Robinson Signing Autographs For Her Fans (Source: ESPN). Some of her other awards are the 2005 Indianapolis 500 Rookie and the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series. In 2013, Patrick became the first woman in Sprint Cup history to race full-time in the series. Moving forward in her career, after concluding the 2016 NASCAR K&N, she debuted at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. 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. 107 women have qualified for and started at least one race in one of NASCARs touring series, including 16 at NASCARs premier level. She's continuing to break barriers in the historically white, male-dominated sport as a tire changer on . She has established herself as one of the hottest racing drivers, as well as one of the hottest female athletes in general. Darius Days Bio: Family, Contracts And Net Worth, Gus Johnson Bio: Family, Documentary & Net Worth, Mike Conley Net Worth: Charity & Endorsements, Shaun Livingston Bio: Injuries, NBA Championships, Net Worth & Kids, Romain Grosjean Bio: Crash, Wife, IndyCar & Net Worth>>. A heavy right foot and the power of a Chrysler Hemi engine helped Vicki Wood set speed records on Daytona Beach in the mid-1950s. Her awards include Quarter Midgets of the American Female Driver of the year continuously from 1993 to 1995. But she officially started racing in 1993 from the Xfinity Series and then made her Camping World Truck debut in 2003. Loving racing karts when she was 5, she started to race at the age of 8. In 1994, Robinson became the first woman to clinch pole position in one of the major series, topping the qualifying race for the Xfinity series Busch Light 300 series at the Atlanta Speedway on March 12, 1994. She made her debut in NASCAR Xfinity Series in the 2011 Iowa John Deere Dealers 250 (Iowa) and her last race was in the 2018 Ford EcoBoost 300 (Homestead). (WKMG 2021) In 2019, she became the . These women have made history in their field and continue to do so. This season, there's a new face on the racetrack, and she's creating history. Therefore, they believe women cant drive, let alone race. In 1954, Betty Skelton Erde drove the pace car at Daytona and set the female stock car speed record. [24] Patrick opened 2017 season with a fourth place finish in the Advance Auto Parts Clash (an exhibition race for previous pole winners). Jennifer Jo Cobb. Trackhouse Racing. [18], In 2011, Snowball Derby winner Johanna Long entered the Camping World Truck Series at 19 years of age, being the youngest female driver to race in the series. Female drivers competed at a high level all the way back to the earliest days of NASCAR. "It's really difficult to gain respect, be trusted and for someone to really understand that you know what you're doing. Feb 21, 2018. The first female to compete in a NASCAR superspeedway race, Guthrie finished 15th in the 1976 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. But here she is, at 27 years old, on the NASCAR pit road, changing tires on race cars and breaking barriers for women and people of color along the way. Then she started working for GIC-Mixon in 2005. Her 2022 racing stats: 31.00 average starts and 32.00 average finish while not finishing once in pole position. ( 1981-08-24) 24 August 1981 (age 41) Pauline Mayman born 26 May 1928, died 1989 (aged 60-61) Sally Miall born 18 December 1918, died 6 October 2010 (aged 91) Sarah Moore born. Dr. Ketra Armstrong, a professor of race and inclusion in sports at the University of Michigan, told ABC News. She participated in five Winston Cup races between 1987 and 1989 and 133 . Below is the list of 10 best female NASCAR drivers of all time to have achieved the seeming inconceivable. She started her career in 2004 through the Xfinity Series, where she made 27 total starts. In 2017, Patrick became the first female NASCAR driver to lead the prestigious Coca Cola 600. Daniels said she has had to tune out a lot of negativity even while some celebrate her achievements in the sport. Lets take a look at some of NASCARs female pioneers. While the Drive for Diversity program is keen to celebrate progress, Siegel said that success requires much more work. Through a new sponsorship opportunity with Busch Light, all three women will be able to gain financial backing and exposure that they hope will encourage more women to enter the profession, both on and off the track. Natalie Decker moved up from the Truck Series to the Xfinity Series, where she would run five races in the No. So how come you never hear of the women drivers or see them race on TV? Below is a list of top 10 talented female race car drivers. 5. She debuted for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2010 AAA Insurance 200 (IRP) and her last race for this series was in 2011 Winstar World Casino 350k (Texas). Amber Balcaen is a third generation racecar driver from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. "NASCAR racing is one of the only sports nationally where men and women can compete at the exact same level," Krystyn Stowe, head of marketing for Busch Family Brands, Anheuser-Busch InBev, told ABC News. [8], No woman had raced NASCAR in a decade when Janet Guthrie started the 1976 World 600,[9] finishing 15th, ahead of Dale Earnhardt. That year, Patrick became the first woman to win the NASCAR Most Popular Nationwide Driver award. During the 1990s many women raced in NASCARs lower series. Later, she was signed by Rev Racing in both the years 2019 and 2020. You Can Also Read About Romain Grosjean Bio: Crash, Wife, IndyCar & Net Worth>>. Erin Mary Crocker Evernham gave birth to a daughter, Cate Susan Evernham, on July 25, 2015. 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. She retired from full-time stock car racing after the 2018 Daytona 500.[25]. He won 19 races including the 1980 Daytona 500 and was the first driver to break 200 . Johanna Robbins (nee Long) was born on May 26, 1992, and is a historical name in NASCAR history. Ethel [Flock] Mobley (2 / 1949) [12] In her sophomore Dash Series run, Robinson became the first woman to earn the pole position for a NASCAR touring series race. She finished 28th even though she started 42nd. "When I saw Danica Patrick in the Cup Series, that made me believe that I could somehow, someday be in the Cup series," Balcaen said. [69] 2020 was the first season of ARCA as a NASCAR-sanctioned series, so this list begins with 2020. Sara Christian. There are two straight-shooting, let's-take-NASCAR-seriously flicks on this list, and "The Last American Hero" is one of them. AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series, AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series, AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series, List of female 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers, "Where Are They Now? She began drag racing and hitting the short track circuit for late model racing, with several top-15 finishes to her name. The article claimed that she had faced criminal charges in her youth, which Tia has not denied. Her fourth-place finish was the highest ever for a female driver, besting the previous record of ninth set by Janet Guthrie in 1978. Brehanna Daniels is breaking down barriers in NASCAR. Why wouldn't that be talked about?," Daniels said. Her first race in this series was in the 2010 Kroger 200 (Martinsville) and her last was in the 2020 Vankor 350 (Texas). She also won the 2021 Trans Am Series SGT Class ProAm Challenge. She drove an Audi R8 LMS in the 2012 Super GT season, becoming the first female driver in the series. A handful of women (such as Mackena Bell and Kenzie Ruston) have raced with the help of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program since its creation in 2004. Sara Christians fire suit is on display in Heritage Speedway on the top floor of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. 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. Ty Dillon. She finished 3rd in the 2020 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. Patricia Moise-Sawyer was a NASCAR driver in the past. 5. 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. She also became the first woman to win the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour race in 2013 (Lucas Oil). "I feel like for the first time since I've been involved, a lot of those things are starting to be addressed head on and progress is being made," Siegel said. "Brehanna was one of those who embraced it, came through the program, excelled," said Max Siegel, the manager of NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program. [31] Cobb planned on making her Cup Series debut in the spring Talladega race, driving the No. She was listed as one of the drivers for the #15 truck for Billy Ballew Motorsports as a teammate to Kyle Busch in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck. During . The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series formed the Lady Cup, a championship system for female drivers in 2014. Two year later, Patrick would earn the pole at the 2012 DRIVE4COPD 300, becoming the first female driver since Shawna Robinson to clinch it. She drove the #10 Sticks N Stuff Chevy for Davis Motorsports at Talladega in 2004. At the 2013 Daytona 500, Patrick became the first female driver to clinch pole position and lead a green flag lap. In 2003, she bagged the Knoxville award for Best Rookie. Moving forward, they will continue to pave their way in the male-dominated field. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. NASCAR's first Arab American female driver makes her Daytona debut . Christine Beckers (1 / 1977) In 1988, Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series (later the Goody's Dash Series) driver Shawna Robinson became the first woman to win a NASCAR Touring Series event, also earning "Rookie of the Year" and "Most Popular Driver" honors. She was the first female driver selected to the NASCAR Next program, which highlighted rising young talent. Although Erin never competed in the Sprint Cup, she made history as the top Female NASCAR Driver of all time. This post was originally published on July 9, 2021. Her victory was the first for a female NASCAR driver since Tammy Jo Kirk won in 1994. Amber Balcaen enters her car at the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Developmental Program in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Oct. 18, 2016. suspended after using a racial slur at a virtual race last year. However, her biggest accomplishment, she told ABC News, was earning her sponsorship with RV product manufacturer ICON Direct last year. Best career Indianapolis 500 finish: 3rd in 2009. Toni Breidinger, 21, who is of Lebanese descent, has become the first Arab-American female to race in Nascar. Patricia made her debut in Busch Series in 1986 (Road Atlanta), driving the no.47 Buck Regal for Randy Hope. Marie-Claude Charmasson. This isnt a rank-based list. 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.". 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. Later, she was signed by Rev Racing in both the years 2019 and 2020. 7. Larson, who is half-Japanese, later apologized and said, "I wasn't raised that way.". She also drives but only part-time for the NASCAR XFINITY series, driving the #55 Toyota Camry of JP Motorsports. These female racers are setting an example for the females of the next generation. Here is the list: Louise Smith (11 starts/from 1949-1952) Meet Tia Norfleet, the first African-American female NASCAR driver and daughter of legendary NASCAR driver Bobby Norfleet. She was best known for competing in Modified Division races. A Professional Stock Car Racer, Johanna Robbins (Source: AL.com). 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. Betty Skelton Erde wasn't technically a NASCAR driver, but she drove the pace car at Daytona in 1954, and was clocked at a speed of 105.88mph (170.40km/h) on the sand, setting a stock car speed record for women. In 2001, Robinson would be the first woman to finish a race in the Winston Cup Series since Janet Guthrie in 1980. Patrick removed the implants after having them for seven years. I think that you will get an honest admission from everyone in the sport that there is a ton of work to be done," Siegel said. Born in 1973, Cobb has been an active name in the industry. Don't miss a story! 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. In 2011, she started driving the No. In 2010, IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick joined NASCAR, racing part-time in the K&N Pro Series East and the Nationwide Series. Though he successfully raced motorcycles, drag cars, and stock cars at low-level events, he was never able to raise enough money or sponsorship to actively compete.