Woman in Auto Racing
Posted: Monday, August 02, 2010
by Dr. Carla Goddard
It is widely accepted that men who drive race cars are tough athletes. On the track and off personalities have flared and fist have been thrown. With the male dominated attitude and competitive nature of any kind of motor sport racing, it is tough enough for a young guy to get a break into making it to the big time. Just imagine how many more obstacles are thrown in a women's path.Yet, women having been driving race cars as far back as 1898.
In 1976 Janet Guthrie changed racing for women forever. That year Janet was the first woman to race in the Daytona 500 and the Indy 500. She still holds the women's world closed-course speed record going 191.002 miles per hour while qualifying for the Indy 500. In 1977 Janet entered Winston Cup qualifying successfully for all 19 races.
A look back in NHRA history you immediately think of Shirley Muldowney who was the first woman to ever race a dragster in NHRA. She became the first woman to win three world titles and set the women's land-speed mark of 308.6 mph in 1965.
These women led the way for the women of today in the racing world.
With women like Danica Patrick, serving as ambassadors for the racing world things have come along way in racing. Legendary drivers, like John Force, are bringing up a whole new generation of women drivers. On the local tracks, there are many series that are dominated by female driver's. No longer sent off to the powder puff league's. The Legend's race that happens at my own local dirt track is just another example of women who love racing are not just the fans anymore.
"Interest in women in professional racing continues to grow, with Danica, Leilani and Melanie serving as excellent ambassadors for the sport," said Kevin Kaul, Hostess marketing manager. As the 2005 IRL Indy Car Series Rookie of the Year and her splash into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Danica Patrick has emerged as an international superstar of racing, further increasing the popularity of one of the hottest professional sports around.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I didn't even know that women were involved in racing. Good for them!JenniferI have even been known to drive the quarter mile simply because I felt "the need for speed". grinsmwahCarla
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