She retired from full-time stock car racing after the 2018 Daytona 500.[25]. Patricia Sawyer Moise drove in five Winston Cup races from 1987-89 and 133 Busch Series races from 1986-1998. Tina Gordon On Her Phone (Source: Briefly News). Her first race in this series was in the 2010 Kroger 200 (Martinsville) and her last was in the 2020 Vankor 350 (Texas). Plan a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and purchase tickets at NASCARHall.com/tickets. She retired from full-time competition after the 2017 season. We believe these NASCAR drivers are the best in their way and working their way up to the top. Last year, the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards honored Breidinger, the first Arab-American female driver to participate in any NASCAR national series, with its Developmental Series Driver Award. Dominique won Super Late Model Track Champion in 2012 Springport Motor Speedway Outlaw. Since 2009, the program has trained 75 gender and ethnically diverse candidates for NASCAR's pit crews. 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. Chevrolet. [10] In 1977, Janet Guthrie would become the first woman to lead a Winston Cup Series race under caution, at Ontario Speedway. In 2013, Patrick became the first woman in Sprint Cup history to race full-time in the series. So, Courtney, of course, feels advantages of having a sister as a champion of Funny Car division and father, John Force. 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.". There she made 15 starts and ended up in the 45th position. With a resume full of firsts, Janet Guthrie truly broke barriers in her racing career. Therefore, they believe women cant drive, let alone race. Sara Christian was the first female driver in NASCAR history. From driving go-karts as a child to making history in US motor racing, Toni Breidinger has become the first Arab-American female to participate in Nascar stock car racing. Photo courtesy of NASCAR Archives & Research Center via Getty Images. In 1954, Betty Skelton Erde drove the pace car at Daytona and set the female stock car speed record. 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. Robinson won three times between 1988 and 1989 in the now-defunct Dash Series,[1] Deegan won three races in the K&N Pro Series West between 2018 and 2019. 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. Moreover, she finished in 29th position back in 2011, which is also her best. The most popular female racer is Danica Patrick who retired early in 2018. The adrenaline and skill of driving at high speeds resides in the . Sara Christian (7 / 1949-1950) Trackhouse Racing. She has competed in one NASCAR-sanctioned event. Wedding, Kids & Girlfriends. Marie-Claude Charmasson is a lesser-known female race car driver who we think deserves more recognition. Angela Cope Inside Her Truck (Source: Wikipedia). Instagram. She won the Snowball Derby in 1994. Additionally, her NASCAR license has come into question. Since then, only 15 pit crew members have been women, according to NASCAR. "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. "I think it's very difficult to reach your full potential without the proper funding. Top 10 Essential NASCAR Stats and Facts. Tony stands out among the male-dominated sports, being just one of the four women to star in the Auto Menard Series this year. 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. 23", "Jennifer Jo Cobb to make Cup debut at Talladega with Rick Ware Racing UPDATE", "NASCAR still searching for its Danica Patrick Racing", "Racerchicks.com: Racerchicks Janet Guthrie", "Racerchicks.com: Racerchicks Danica Patrick NEWS", "Patrick Follows in the Footsteps of Pioneers", "Racerchicks.com: Racerchicks Erin Crocker", "Canadian driver, model set for Nationwide debut - Aug 17, 2011 - NASCAR.COM", "NASCAR Nationwide Team Charlotte Auto Fair", "Mara Reyes at Driver Database | Motorsport", "Gabi DiCarlo to Make Truck Series Debut at Fontana", "Racerchicks.com: Racerchicks Alli Owens", "Racerchicks.com: Racerchicks Deborah Renshaw", "Racerchicks.com: Racerchicks Michelle Theriault", "Racerchicks.com: Racerchicks Angie Wilson", "NASCAR acquires ARCA, reaffirms commitment to growth | NASCAR.com", "UNOH Grad Following Her Heart into NASCAR", "Nascar Driver Kristin Bumbera Signs With Hamilton Racing", "NASCAR Female Driver Toni Marie McCray To Take On The Boys At The Showdown At Toyota Speedway", "Catalanos Making It A True Family Night at Stafford", "Open Division Championship Season 2012 Final", "Dexwet-df1 Racing with title ambitions in all divisions in 2019", "Racing-Total presents an international lineup", "NWES 2019 ELITE-Club final results after Hockenheim", D-BOX eNASCAR International iRacing Series, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_female_NASCAR_drivers&oldid=1124996170, Articles with dead external links from December 2022, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 1 December 2022, at 17:19. By the end of the year, Daniels would make history again, as part of the first female duo in a NASCAR pit crew. She finished 8th, the highest ever finish for an woman in the Daytona 500. 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. She returned to ARCA in 2021 for Youngs Motorsports on a part-time schedule. Danica Patrick, in full Danica Sue Patrick, (born March 25, 1982, Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.), American race car driver and the first woman to win an IndyCar championship event. As of September 30, 2018, only two women, Hailie Deegan and Shawna Robinson, have won a race in NASCARs touring series. However, Patrick would finish 38th after a crash. Let's check out five female NASCAR drivers that deserve a shot in the Cup Series. "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. In 2018, she won Washington State Rookie and was selected as one of the invitees to Drive for Diversity. In 2007, she earned the title of the first female driver winner at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The NASCAR Whelen Euro Series formed the Lady Cup, a championship system for female drivers in 2014. Erin Mary Crocker Evernham gave birth to a daughter, Cate Susan Evernham, on July 25, 2015. In 2020, she competed at the ARCAs Daytona. 3. Aaron Fike, Jeremy Mayfield, Junior Johnson, and Travis Kvapil all come to mind as racers with less than squeaky clean records. "When you're new and then you're also a woman on top of that? No. After a 7th place finish in Martinsville a year later, Patrick tied Guthrie for most Top 10 finishes by a female NASCAR driver. In June 2020, Wallace, another NASCAR driver who also broke racial barriers in the sport, spoke out about racism after one of his crew members reported what looked like a noose hanging in the team's garage stall. Regardless of having the talent, she had to beg her father to buy her a go-kart when she was nine years old. Toni Breidinger made history as the first Arab-American female driver to compete in a NASCAR national series after she made her debut at Daytona International Speedway over the weekend. Wood drove her Chrysler 300 to a two-way average speed on the beach of 125.838 mph. Hailee debuted for NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2020 Clean Harbors 200 (Kansas) and 2022 Alsco Uniforms 302 (Las Vegas), respectively. Spire Motorsports. This season, there's a new face on the racetrack, and she's creating history. Robin McCall (2 / 1982 note: Wally Dallenbach Jr's wife) First woman to lead a lap in Indianapolis 500. [12] In her sophomore Dash Series run, Robinson became the first woman to earn the pole position for a NASCAR touring series race. Her last race for NASCAR Xfinity Series was in the 2006 AT&T 250 (Milwaukee). . Fisher was the first female driver to take a pole position in a significant American open-wheel race in 2002. Although she hasnt participated in the Sprint Cut Series, she is someone to keep an eye on. 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>>. However, last year, the organization banned Confederate flags at its races. [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. Larson, a NASCAR cup series driver and an alumni of the Drive for Diversity program, found himself in the pit fire and was suspended after using a racial slur at a virtual race last year. In four of the six races, she finished in the top 15. Danica Patrick (191 / 2012-2018) However, her biggest accomplishment, she told ABC News, was earning her sponsorship with RV product manufacturer ICON Direct last year. In 2010, IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick joined NASCAR, racing part-time in the K&N Pro Series East and the Nationwide Series. Larson, who is half-Japanese, later apologized and said, "I wasn't raised that way.". Earlier this year, Toni Breidinger became the first Arab-American female race car driver to join the NASCAR family. [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. A few compete in the lower levels, but they're looking for their big break. She finished 3rd in the 2020 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West. The history of NASCAR started in December 1947. [16] However, Patrick would finish 38th after a crash. You Can Also Read About Romain Grosjean Bio: Crash, Wife, IndyCar & Net Worth>>. 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. 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. Finally, women are starting to make an impact in NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, and more. He said he has faced a lot of resistance in his efforts to bring more diversity to NASCAR but says he remains committed to the mission. This isnt a rank-based list. 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. Although diagnosed with cancer in 2014, Robinson underwent several treatments and finally became cancer-free in 2015. Tammy Jo Kirk had 37 Top 10 finishes and two poles in the All Pro Series before becoming the first woman to start at the Camping World Truck Series. Later, she was signed by Rev Racing in both the years 2019 and 2020. Tia and Bobby Norfleet began a mission to bring awareness to motorsports to children of all backgrounds, especially those in underserved communities and from minority ethnic backgrounds. She is the first female driver to lead a Busch Series event. First Female to win Pole Position at Daytona 500: Danica Patrick: In 2013 Danica Patrick put in the fastest qualification lap to win pole position at the Daytona 500. Then she started working for GIC-Mixon in 2005. Stock Car Racing Driver And Victorias Secret Model, Toni Breidinger (Source: New York Post). Feb 21, 2018. Moving forward, they will continue to pave their way in the male-dominated field. She used to drive as a full-timer at Bill McAnally Racing in the ARCA West and part-time in ARCA East. Shauntia Latrice "Tia" Norfleet may or may not be the first female African-American NASCAR driver. Born and raised in Iowa, now retired, Robinson started her career for the Spring Cup Series in 1995. Even before she started competing in NASCAR, Zamora was a super late model racer. In 2019, Daniels became the first Black woman to pit in NASCAR's historic Daytona 500 race. Tina also entered for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2003. Her awards include Quarter Midgets of the American Female Driver of the year continuously from 1993 to 1995. Toni Breidinger gets ready to race in the ARCA Menards Series Calypso Lemonade 200 in Winchester, Ind., July 31, 2021. Dr. Ketra Armstrong, a professor of race and inclusion in sports at the University of Michigan, told ABC News. Her skills on the court were an easy fit for the fast-paced needs in a NASCAR pit crew. Breidinger hopes programs like Busch Light's will have a "snowball effect" in encouraging more brands to sponsor female drivers. Still, young girls, especially those who have not come from privileged white backgrounds, look up to Tia Norfleet. Robinson would later become the first female driver to clinch the pole in any of the three major series, winning qualifying for the March 12, 1994 Xfinity Series Busch Light 300 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. She competed in the 2018 Daytona 500 and the 2018 Indy 500 before officially retiring from full-time competition. The following year, Guthrie became the first female racer to qualify for the Daytona 500, where she finished 12th, and the Indianapolis 500. 20 Toyota, owned by her family. A Professional Stock Car Racer, Johanna Robbins (Source: AL.com). Shawna Robinson became the first woman to win a NASCAR Touring Series event in 1988. 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. Zamora debuted in the ARCA Menards Series preseason test session in January 2021. Louise Smith: The First Lady of NASCAR. Robinson Signing Autographs For Her Fans (Source: ESPN). The 17-year-old became the first female driver to win a K&N Pro Series race, taking the checkered flag in . [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. Patricia Moise-Sawyer is a former NASCAR driver born on 29 December, 1960 and is married to a former fellow NASCAR driver Elton Sawyer. During her rally career, she drove the Opel Kadett, Chevrolet Corvette, Opel Commodore, and Chevrolet Camaro. She recently competed in the 2022 Baptist Health 200 (Homestead). Her 2022 racing stats: 31.00 average starts and 32.00 average finish while not finishing once in pole position. IndyCar series driver Danica Patrick joined NASCAR in 2010. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 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. After months of training, in 2017, Daniels became the first Black woman, over-the-wall tire changer in NASCAR's history. Janet Guthrie's second and final appearance in the Daytona 500 came in 1980 when she finished 11th in a Chevrolet fielded by team owner Rod Osterlund Chevrolet. Daniels said she has had to tune out a lot of negativity even while some celebrate her achievements in the sport. Here is the list: Louise Smith (11 starts/from 1949-1952) So, what's the deal with Tia Norfleet, and why haven't we seen her tearing up any tracks? That year, Patrick became the first woman to win the NASCAR Most Popular Nationwide Driver award. 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. But it was in 2016 she changed her tracks towards asphalt races and made her asphalt professional beginning in 2017. Johanna Robbins (nee Long) was born on May 26, 1992, and is a historical name in NASCAR history. On January 14, 2020, she signed for Bill McAnally Racing in the ARCA Menards Series West. Patrick didn't win a race in seven seasons, but her seven top-10 finishes are most among female drivers in NASCAR history. Patricia made her debut in Busch Series in 1986 (Road Atlanta), driving the no.47 Buck Regal for Randy Hope. "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. Chrissy Wallace. Marian Pagan (1 / 1954) For the 2021 ARCA Menards Series, Grace has decided to race ten races in total but a part-time, driving Number 15 and 25. She finished 5th, the highest finish for a female, in the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series in 2020, Daytona. Patrick is the first female driver to win a pole in NASCAR Sprint Cup . How NHL Chooses Their International Recruits, Australias horse racing jewels to go ahead as planned. Since then, only 15 pit crew members have been women, according to . Danica Patrick In 2019 Camping World 500 (Source: Wikimedia). However, as Tia worked to gain sponsors to advance her driving career, NASCAR officials have allegedly dissuaded any potential partnerships, citing her past. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Shane Acedera has been writing online sports articles since 2003 but have been a writer and a blogger since high school. Goldie Parsons (1 / 1965) [8], No woman had raced NASCAR in a decade when Janet Guthrie started the 1976 World 600,[9] finishing 15th, ahead of Dale Earnhardt. In 2019, Kobayashi won in her one and only start in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (in the Elite Club Division). Toni Breidinger, the first Arab American female driver in NASCAR, returned to the ARCA Menards Series for the first time since 2018, joining Young's Motorsports to compete part-time for them as part of the Truck Series team's first foray into ARCA. ( 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. "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. Danica Patrick - First Female NASCAR Driver. In 2017, Patrick became the first female NASCAR driver to lead the prestigious Coca Cola 600. Born in 1969, Tina Gordon is one of the top female NASCAR drivers in history. 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. She drove an Audi R8 LMS in the 2012 Super GT season, becoming the first female driver in the series. [3], 2021 saw a number of milestones for female drivers. 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. Beyond raising "millions of dollars" just to get on the track, having female drivers paving the way is also crucial, Balcaen said. Below is a list of top 10 talented female race car drivers. She managed to grab the 55th position in the race, making her a solid contender to watch out for. She also became the first winner in any ARCA-sanctioned series, because there have been no female winners in the main ARCA Menards Series as of April 2021. Robinson is the first woman to win a top level NASCAR sanctioned race. Natalie Decker, 24, who is competing one level below the Cup Series in the NASCAR Xfinity Series this season, told ABC News she has looked for sponsorships since she started racing at the age of 9 to help fund the expensive sport. During her NASCAR Xfinity Series career, she finished once in the pole position and once in the top ten. At the age of 12, she progressed to legends car races. She began drag racing and hitting the short track circuit for late model racing, with several top-15 finishes to her name. 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). 2023 Nascar Hall Of Fame. [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. That year, Patrick became the first woman to win the NASCAR Most Popular Nationwide Driver award. Shawna is among the top 16 females competing in the NASCAR cup. 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 . The NASCAR fan base is also overwhelmingly white. In the NASCAR Cup Series, which began racing in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, women competed in the very first race at the old 0.75-mile Charlotte Speedway dirt track, near where Charlotte-Douglas International Airport stands today. Born in 1973, Cobb has been an active name in the industry. She made her debut with the Xfinity series, made 10 starts, and finished 72nd in 2004. . She got the title of the first female driver who won with number one in 2013 racing series. She also won the 2021 Trans Am Series SGT Class ProAm Challenge. 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. However, she is still a racer to watch out for who drives for a team named after Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing and rides a Number ten. In 2013, The New York Times ran an article that effectively shut down any chance Tia Norfleet had at a NASCAR career. Making her Sprint Cup beginning in 1987, the Jacksonville superstar Patty Moise-Sawyer is one of the 16 best female NASCAR drivers in history. Yet, if she had not pursued her passion, she would not see her days when she had bagged numerous wins and awards. Danica Sue Patrick is an American retired professional racing driver, model, actress, and singer who is considered the most successful female racecar driver in the history of American open-wheel racing. In a late model race at Motor Mile Speedway in Fairlawn, Virginia, she started a race, yet parked after one lap. Robinson and NASCAR Truck Series driver Jennifer Jo Cobb competed in the 16th installment of The Amazing Race but did not win the contest. In addition to Breidinger, Decker and Balcaen, the other recipients of the inaugural sponsorship are Jennifer Jo Cobb, Melissa Fifield, Stephanie Moyer and Brittney Zamora, Busch Light said. She married fellow short track driver and Kyle Busch Motorsports engineer Hunter Robbins. The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program also aims for diversity across the sport, including the crew. As of April 2021, Shawna Robinson, Hailie Deegan, Manami Kobayashi, and Gracie Trotter remain the only women to have won a race in one of NASCAR's touring series. In 2015, Patrick tied Janet Guthrie for most top ten finishes for a woman with a seventh place finish at Martinsville. You don't see that every day in NASCAR. France (Class of 2010), Wood set a female speed record at the newly opened Daytona International Speedway, where she ran a lap of more than 130 mph in a Pontiac. Best career Indianapolis 500 finish: 3rd in 2009. In 2010, IndyCar Series driver Danica Patrick joined NASCAR, racing part-time in the K&N Pro Series East and the Nationwide Series. Amber Balcaen is a third generation racecar driver from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. Only three have been women of color. There's so many obstacles.". Fire up your engines! Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Janet Guthries World 600 qualifying plaque is on display in Heritage Speedway at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. This post was originally published on July 9, 2021. Then in 2009, she debuted in NASCAR races, namely ASA Late Model Series, ARCA, and more. After investigating, the FBI concluded that the rope was a garage door pull rope and did not file any charges. Shawna Robinson competed in all three NASCAR Touring series. One of the most talented female race drivers, Ashley is the daughter of former national drag . Last year, the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Awards honored Breidinger, the first Arab-American female driver to participate in any NASCAR national series, with its Developmental Series Driver Award. "NASCAR hasn't had very much success with the African American community at large because of NASCAR's association with the Confederate flag," Armstrong said. Furthermore, she's not the first NASCAR driver to have faced arrest. The following year, Guthrie became the first woman to lead a Winston Cup Series Race under caution at the Ontario Speedway in Canada. After no female raced in a decade, Janet Guthrie became the first woman driver to race in a superspeedway when she started the 1976 World 600, finishing in 15th place and ahead of Dale Earnhardt. That success is what Siegel said he wants for all his recruits who come through the Drive for Diversity program. From 1987 to 1989, Moise has driven in 5 Winston Cup races. Danica Patrick, a NASCAR driver for women, was born in Beloit, Wisconsin on the 25th of March 1982. "It's really difficult to gain respect, be trusted and for someone to really understand that you know what you're doing. Moving forward in her career, after concluding the 2016 NASCAR K&N, she debuted at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Deegans triumph was the first for a female NASCAR driver since Shawna Robinson three decades back. NASCAR Driver Hailee Deegan (Source: Wikimedia). The top tier of NASCAR, the cup series, has had 16 Female NASCAR drivers in its history. Marie-Claude Charmasson. One of her most impressive performances came in September at the challenging Langhorne Speedway, a circular 1-mile track outside of Philadelphia. The article claimed that she had faced criminal charges in her youth, which Tia has not denied. NASCAR Las Vegas betting guide . At only 22, she's been helping pave the way for up-and-coming female racers. Ethel Flock Mobley. 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. [27] She followed this up by winning two more races in 2019, which came at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track[28] and at Colorado National Speedway. "You . At Michigan she became the first woman to lead under green on a non-restrictor plate track. She was best known for competing in Modified Division races. Patrick removed the implants after having them for seven years. Which is pretty much the standard for most competitive sports, isn't it? 71 Ford placed 14th. Her victory was the first for a female NASCAR driver since Tammy Jo Kirk won in 1994. She began drag racing and hitting the short track circuit for late model racing, with several top-15 finishes to her name. The First African-American Female NASCAR Driver. Danica is a successful retired NASCAR driver and the first woman to win an Indy Car Series race. In the male-dominated sport of car racing, some women have chosen this sport as their career, proved they can compete, and even won the pole position. Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET. During the 1990s many women raced in NASCARs lower series. Drivers say more funding is key to supporting women on the track. #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. She made history by being the first female driver to win West Series races in 2018 and 2019. 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. Catching Up With Shawna", "A FIRST IN EURO NASCAR HISTORY: MANAMI KOBAYASHI WINS IN ELITE CLUB DEBUT", "Gracie Trotter Makes History With Las Vegas Victory", "Trucks: Hailie Deegan returns to DGR for 2022 season - NBC Sports", "Toni Breidinger Announces Major Plans for 2022", "Motorsports pioneer Betty Skelton Erde dies at age 85", "HowStuffWorks "1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Chronology", "Patty Moise News, Stats and Info About the Racing Driver", "Racerchicks.com: Racerchicks Shawna Robinson", "Robinson team to feature first all-female pit crew Thursday May 29, 2003 10:11 AM", "Drive for diversity: NASCAR's push to develop minority drivers moving slowly NASCAR Sporting News", "Danica Patrick wins pole position for Daytona Nationwide race", "Unofficial Results | NASCAR Nationwide Series", "NASCAR Danica Patrick to NASCAR a win-win", "TRUCKS: Johanna Long Wins Snowball Derby", "Johanna Long bests Danica Patrick at 2012 Daytona Nationwide Series race NASCAR News | FOX Sports on MSN", "Danica Patrick finishes eighth in Daytona 500", "NASCAR driver Danica Patrick will retire from the track to become a full-time entrepreneur", "Whelen Euro Series News & Notes: Valencia", "Hailie Deegan makes history with K&N Pro Series West win", "Rising NASCAR star Hailie Deegan wins again with last-lap move", "Toni Breidinger to make Truck debut with Young's Motorsports", "Natalie Decker Signs with RSS Racing for Partial Schedule in Reaume-assisted No.