by Nancy Horton

Created on: April 23, 2008   Last Updated: November 24, 2008

NASCAR has certainly had many women who have taken a large roll in it's organization, both on and off the track. Women have had equal opportunity with NASCAR, proving that they too can compete with the best of them. Thanks to NASCAR's support and acceptance, women have been able to fulfill their passions of racing, and be a part of NASCAR's history.

In the beginning of NASCAR's journey of becoming one of America's favorite motor sport, Louise Smith was NASCAR's first lady on the track. Louise Smith, born July 31,1916 in Barnesville, Georgia began her career with NASCAR in 1946 at the Daytona Beach Road Course (raced on the beach itself). In addition to racing for NASCAR's Grand Nationals (currently known as the Sprint Cup Series), she also raced modified cars, and sportsman cars. "I enjoyed every minute of it." says Louise Smith. In the beginning, when she didn't have a car to enter a race, so she used her husbands personal car; wrecked it, and then told her husband that it was "a lemon". An excuse for not winning the race, as well as wrecking his Ford Coupe. Along with being one of the highlight of many drivers, she also used her charm to advertise for NASCAR. Women had a way with advertising, and Louise was certainly the perfect person for the job. She continued her career as a driver through 1956 with a total of 38 victories. During the 70's she joined NASCAR again as a car owner for several drivers. She also got involved with the Miss Southern 500 Scholarship Pageant at Darlington Raceway. She became the first woman inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1999. Louise passed away from cancer at the age of 90 on March 4th 2006. Louise Smith is truly one of the favorites of NASCAR, as well as thousands of fans around the world. And she will forever remain NASCAR's sweetheart.

NASCAR's second female driver was Janet Guthrie, born March 7th 1938 in Iowa City, Iowa. She began racing for NASCAR in 1976 entering a few races, yet unsuccessful finishes until she had a 15th place finish in the Charlotte 600. She drove a Chevy for the First Union National Bank vice president Lynda Ferreri at what was then known as Charlotte Motor Speedway; now called Lowes Motor Speedway. She made history in 1977 when she became the first woman to earn a starting spot in the Daytona 500. During that race her engine failed, and she finished in 12th place; however, she was the top rookie of the race. Due to lack of sponsorship, regardless, she continued racing. But

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>