These women have made history in their field and continue to do so. She had further raced at the Xfinity Series and Road Atlanta in 1986. A former NASCAR driver, Danica is one of the most successful women in open-wheel race history. 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 made her . We believe these NASCAR drivers are the best in their way and working their way up to the top. During college, the Norfolk State women's basketball point guard said she never once thought about NASCAR as a sport, let alone a career. After fielding a part-time Cup team and winning their first race at Indianapolis last year, Kaulig Racing has taken the next step and will field two full-time Cup teams in 2022. Indianapolis 500 History: Female Drivers - Indianapolis Motor Speedway She was a competitive rally driver from 1965 through 1974. 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. In 2001, Robinson would be the first woman to finish a race in the Winston Cup Series since Janet Guthrie in 1980. Sara Christian was the first female driver in NASCAR history. 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. She began drag racing and hitting the short track circuit for late model racing, with several top-15 finishes to her name. Deegan also has a family YouTube channel called The Deegans, where she posts her everyday life and beyond. Since then, only 15 pit crew members have been women, according to . Despite competing on only six of eight races, Christian finished 13th in points in 1949, her only full season of competition. Over the years, some of NASCAR's drivers have also been embroiled in controversies about race. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. 15 and No. Leilani Munter - American Throughout his racing career, Bobby dealt with discrimination on and off the track. "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. Terri had previously attempted the NASCAR Sportsman series in the US. Erin Mary Crocker Evernham gave birth to a daughter, Cate Susan Evernham, on July 25, 2015. 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 . She is the only woman to win an IndyCar series with her victory at the 2008 Indy Japan 300. These female racers are setting an example for the females of the next generation. Born and raised in Washington, Angela Cope is one of this times most famous NASCAR drivers. Women began to compete more frequently throughout NASCAR's lower series over the course of the 1990s. 20 Toyota, owned by her family. By the end of the year, Daniels would make history again, as part of the first female duo in a NASCAR pit crew. Marie-Claude Charmasson is a lesser-known female race car driver who we think deserves more recognition. The following is a list of female NASCAR drivers who have participated in a national or regional touring series race since the organization's inception in 1949, along with statistical totals for their NASCAR careers. NASCAR 2022: Every Cup Series driver and team in the field for this Top 5 Female Race Car Drivers of All Time (and 5 Up-and-Comers to Watch) [19][20] Long would eventually race in the Nationwide Series, making her debut in the 2012 DRIVE4COPD 300. [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. There's so many obstacles.". NASCAR's first Arab American female driver to make her debut at - CNN Meet Tia Norfleet, the first African-American female NASCAR driver and daughter of legendary NASCAR driver Bobby Norfleet. Gracie Trotter (Source: Twitter) In 2007, she earned the title of the first female driver winner at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Female NASCAR Drivers - ESPN.com A Professional Stock Car Racer, Johanna Robbins (Source: AL.com). Hailie Deegan, American Motorsports Racing Driver (Source: The Tennessean). 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. Starting with her love for go-karting at the tender age of 8, she later progressed to competing in legends cars. Danica Patrick. So impressed was race winner and Hall of Famer Curtis Turner (Class of 2016) that he invited her to Victory Lane to celebrate with him. 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. Brehanna Daniels with ABC News' Faith Abubey. Fisher was the first female driver to take a pole position in a significant American open-wheel race in 2002. Young's also announced that she would make her debut in the Truck Series with them in their new part-time No. In a late model race at Motor Mile Speedway in Fairlawn, Virginia, she started a race, yet parked after one lap. She competed in the 2018 Daytona 500 and the 2018 Indy 500 before officially retiring from full-time competition. For women competing professionally in the sport, exposure and sponsorships are key to rising in the ranks, but both can be difficult to come by, female NASCAR drivers told ABC News. Below is a list of top 10 talented female race car drivers. It's like, why wouldn't that matter? Drivers say more funding is key to supporting women on the track. Passed Indianapolis 500 driver's test: May 8, 2005. 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. Get the latest top sport news and stories delivered to your inbox. The majority of the NASCAR Cup Series driver lineup has been finalized for the 2023 season. 107 women have qualified for and started at least one race in one of NASCARs touring series, including 16 at NASCARs premier level. With NASCAR looking to boost the exposure of female racers, Brittney Zamora is one of the first to stand out. Sara Christian was the first woman driver in NASCAR history. 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 . Having a taste of the first race, Sara competed in five more competitions in 1949, finishing sixth and . She competed in over 100 NASCAR racing events. Born in Ontario, she got her degree in Mechanical Engineering. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Shawna Robinson (8 / 2001-2002) You don't see that every day in NASCAR. Tina also entered for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2003. "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. Toni Breidinger - Wikipedia 25 cars. 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. 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. 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. Date of Birth: . ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. In that race, Patrick became the first female driver to lead a lap in a Cup Series race under green-flag conditions and finished the race in eighth place. 71 Ford placed 14th. They are basically second class citizens and the men will never let them race in the big time. The most popular female racer is Danica Patrick who retired early in 2018. We don't have to look far to find NASCAR's first ever female driver, because the very first race in June 1949 at Charlotte Speedway in North Carolina happened to have one in it. Christine Beckers (1 / 1977) #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. The 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock race at Langhorne Speedway featured three female racers, Louise Smith (from left), Sara Christian and Ethel Flock Mobley. Below is the list of 10 best female NASCAR drivers of all time to have achieved the seeming inconceivable. For the first time in school history, the men's and women's teams earned regional titles in the same season, sweeping the Region 3 titles last Sunday. Breidinger notably introduced the first beauty brand to NASCAR through a sponsorship deal with the Arab-owned Huda Beauty last year. Patrick was a novelty that they let in so they could say See we have a woman driver. She signed with Black Cat Racing the same year but ended her tenure during Speedweeks. 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. Photo courtesy of Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images). That year she had three top 10 finishes with her best finish of sixth at Atlanta. Richard Petty's 200 wins make him the winningest driver. Indianapolis 500 career earnings: $2,865,240. 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. Are you looking for fast and fabulous women in the racing field? As for the 2022 season there are only 2 females running a full season Hailie Deegan[4] and Toni Breidinger. Before starting her career as a racer, she was a principal of a Louisiana Middle School, where she ended her tenure in 2004, leading to her first race in 2004 at Aarons 312. Martinsville Speedway is the Cup Series' shortest track. From 2012-2018, Danica Patrick competed in 191 Cup Series races, posting seven top-10 finishes, including a best of sixth at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2014. Born and raised in Iowa, now retired, Robinson started her career for the Spring Cup Series in 1995. 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 . Amber Balcaen Driver Profile | Amber Balcaen Racing Don't miss a story! Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? She won in her debut in Whelen Euro Series Elite Club Division by lapping just 0.001 seconds from the reference time. Deegan, Robinson, Danica Patrick, Tammy Jo Kirk and Mara Reyes have won Poles. NASCAR's first Arab American female driver makes her Daytona debut . You can check out her Instagram, where she keeps posting pictures of her family. The History Of Female Drivers in NASCAR - Sport.ONE NASCAR did not respond to a request for comment about Armstrong's comments. No. 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. The 17-year-old became the first female driver to win a K&N Pro Series race, taking the checkered flag in . During . She made her debut with the Xfinity series, made 10 starts, and finished 72nd in 2004. . Ethel Flock Mobley. Kirks last race in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series was the 1998 Sams Town 250 (Las Vegas), and in NASCAR Xfinity Series was the 2003 Ford 300 (Homestead). Chrissy Wallace. Danica Patrick, a NASCAR driver for women, was born in Beloit, Wisconsin on the 25th of March 1982. Then in 2018, Trotter was chosen as one of the 12 racers for NASCAR'S Drive for Diversity. She also drives but only part-time for the NASCAR XFINITY series, driving the #55 Toyota Camry of JP Motorsports. Since the 20th Century, female drivers have been leaving their mark on NASCAR history. However, last year, the organization banned Confederate flags at its races. Sara Christian. "Especially, you know, a little black girl like myself at that time. At Talladega she became the first woman to lead laps there. Some of her other awards are the 2005 Indianapolis 500 Rookie and the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series. Only three have been women of color. Stereotypically, womens driving skills are a standing joke, among others. Regardless of having the talent, she had to beg her father to buy her a go-kart when she was nine years old. Driving in the Northwest Super Late Model Series in 2017 and 2018, Zamora was the 1st female winner. So, Courtney, of course, feels advantages of having a sister as a champion of Funny Car division and father, John Force. Female NASCAR Drivers That Deserve a Shot at the Cup Series Soon . [7] Through the 1950s and 1960s, female racers made only a handful of starts in NASCAR's touring series. She participated in five Winston Cup races between 1987 and 1989 and 133 . Most successful female NASCAR driver of all time; Most successful female in open-wheel racing . Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BET. "It's a lot easier when you see that it's been done before for you to believe in yourself to achieve that as well.". Patricia Moise-Sawyer, A Former NASCAR Driver (Source: Twitter). 2012 was the first season as a NASCAR-sanctioned series, so the list will be made from 2012 onwards. Her racing career started as a spectator and transformed into 38 wins in various NASCAR formats including sportsman, late models, midgets, and modified. Mistakes are made, words are misinterpreted, and tempers flare. Busch Light announces Accelerate Her program to bring women racers to Although, now retired, Danica has successfully won 191 races in seven years of her career. Although her NASCAR career was brief, what Sara Christian accomplished has more than stood the test of time. Although the series has existed since 1953, the series was not officially affiliated with NASCAR until its buyout on April 27, 2018. This season, there's a new face on the racetrack, and she's creating history. Brehanna Daniels says she thinks about how much her life has changed in just five years. Patricia Moise-Sawyer was a NASCAR driver in the past. Similarly, her determination to become a NASCAR racer built up since she was a kid and racing behind the wheels of a go-kart. However, Patrick would finish 38th after a crash. Toni Breidinger makes history as NASCAR's first Arab American female She is the first female driver to lead a Busch Series event. 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). Another female racer, Louise Smith raced 11 times in the Cup Series between 1949 and 1952, with a best finish of 16th Here are the Female Drivers with the most stars across the three National Series (Cup, NXS, Truck): Johanna Long Robbins was the winner of the 2010 Snowball Derby at the Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola. Are There Any Female Drivers In NASCAR? | Sports Top-Ten Finishes by a female driver in the NASCAR Cup Series: Sara Christian, Pittsburgh, 10-2-1949, 5th (out of 23 cars) . 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. 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. At age 14, Tia Norfleet decided that she wanted to become a race car driver. 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. In 2016, Daniels was the only woman in a group of men trying out for one of the spots on a NASCAR pit crew team. Her love for racing began in her husbands short-track stock car. Tammy Jo Kirk NASCAR Racer (Source: Wikimedia). Lets take a look at some of NASCARs female pioneers. In 2015, Patrick tied Janet Guthrie for most top ten finishes for a woman with a seventh place finish at Martinsville. She retired from full-time stock car racing after the 2018 Daytona 500.[25]. 27-year-old Brehanna Daniels is the first Black female tire changer in NASCAR history. 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. Jennifer Jo Cobb. Plan a visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and purchase tickets at NASCARHall.com/tickets. [69] 2020 was the first season of ARCA as a NASCAR-sanctioned series, so this list begins with 2020. Interestingly enough, the press had a field day confirming that she has never competed in a NASCAR nationwide touring or ARCA-sanctioned event. Jennifer Jo Cobb. And right now, were also in the midst of a year-long observance honoring NASCARs 75th anniversary, which makes it a perfect time to recognize some notable female racers, most from the sports earliest days. But here we have brought you 16 Best Female NASCAR Drivers who prove they are here to change the stereotype. Top 10 Essential NASCAR Stats and Facts. Christina Nielsen started racing as a teenager and now, at just 28 years old, she is the first female driver to win the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Series. Are There Female Drivers in NASCAR? - Sportsmanist So how come you never hear of the women drivers or see them race on TV? In 2016, Patrick led a career high 30 laps and completed more circuits than all but three other drivers. "For me to be able to learn the business skills to be able to sign million-dollar sponsors is to me the thing that I'm most proud of because I had to learn how to be a businesswoman before a race car driver to be able to be a race car driver.". 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. Female drivers competed at a high level all the way back to the earliest days of NASCAR. The top tier of NASCAR, the cup series, has had 16 Female NASCAR drivers in its history. Her skills on the court were an easy fit for the fast-paced needs in a NASCAR pit crew. If NASCAR fans didn't know the name Hailie Deegan before Saturday night, they do now. Formerly Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series Elite Division (2012) and Whelen Euro Series Elite Division (2013), Formerly Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series Open Division (2012) and Whelen Euro Series Open Division (2013), Note: Full statistics only available beginning with 2014 season, AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series (200406), Formerly RE/MAX Challenge Series (19982002) and International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series (2003), AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series (200406), Formerly Northwest Tour (198586), Winston Northwest Tour (198794), REB-CO Northwest Tour (199597), and Raybestos Northwest Series (19982003), AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series (200406), Formerly Winston All Pro Series (199193), Slim Jim All-Pro Series (19942000), Gatorade All Pro Series (2001), Hills Bros. All Pro Series (2002), and Kodak Southeast Series (2003), AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series (200306), Formerly Featherlite Southwest Tour (19862002), Formerly Baby Grand Division (197579), International Sedan Series (198082), Darlington Dash Series (198384), Daytona Dash Series (1985), Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series (198689) and Dash Series (199091), Note: Only partial statistics available for the late 1970s, Whelen Southern Modified Tour (20052016). 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. She joined NASCAR in 2016 as part of the organization's "Drive for Diversity" program. She also won the 2010 Snowball Derby. It wasn't until 2012, 64 years after NASCAR was founded, that it signed its first female pit crew member, Christmas Abbott. 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. Why wouldn't that be talked about?," Daniels said. After investigating, the FBI concluded that the rope was a garage door pull rope and did not file any charges. Christian stands alone as the first woman driver in NASCAR history. Ann Slaasted (1 / 1950) 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 has established herself as one of the hottest racing drivers, as well as one of the hottest female athletes in general. Patrick's racing career began with go-karts in her hometown of Beloit, Wisconsin, at age 10. Sara Christian was the first female driver in NASCAR history, competing in the sanctioning body's first race on June 19, 1949 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. 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. 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. The NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program also aims for diversity across the sport, including the crew. The Best Female NASCAR Drivers 10. The Canadian racer bagged her first win at the Spartan Speedway in Mason. Siegel himself was NASCAR's first highest-ranking Black executive. During the Camping World Races of 2010, Long was booked to race only three races but ended up racing seven. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. NASCAR Driver Hailee Deegan (Source: Wikimedia). It wasn't even a thought in my mind," she said. "It is very low. At Michigan she became the first woman to lead under green on a non-restrictor plate track. She was 42nd in NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2020 and her best finish was 31st in 2019. In 2016, Amber made Canadian history when she became the 1 st Canadian female to win a NASCAR Sanctioned race in the USA. 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.