Every year there is more Women getting in Motorsports, with the great strides in the sport. Women winning is nothing new at Edmonton International Raceway (EIR) with Erica Thiering 6 Time NASCAR Super Stocks Title Driver/Champion NASCAR Whelen All American Series Champion. 3 Time NASCAR Feature Pure Stock Title & 4 Time Late Model Title. But there are many others coming up the ranks like IMCA Modifieds Car 21 Rylyn Malone & Car 13 Emma Fitzpatrick that came up from Evolution Cupcar Series Mini Cups. NASCAR Pure Stocks Car 16 Haley Crandell, Car 21 Tierra Ulrich, Car 5 Jonnie Peters, Car 6 Acacia Graham & Car 26 Katelyn Talajic. Future Car 50 Skye Brenneman, Car 15 Ainslee Russnell & Car 43 Mercedes Pattison. Evolution Cupcar Series Mini Cups Place Car 15 Jaida Schofield Car 88 Berlyn McKay. There are many women racers I am sure I missed some but these come to mind from 2022 season at EIR.
1st Time Ever All Female NASCAR Super Stocks Feature Podium at EIR 2016 Season Opener!
One person that was worh mention was Emma Fitzpatrick from Brooks Alberta is the 1st woman to win an IMCA Canada Modified Feature Race. Also watching Car 21 Tierra Ulrich win not only her 1st win but seeing her win twice, I saw her in her start crash hard in turn 4, get it fixed & get back out there the same night. Great determination that night & then after that to get her wins.
Danita Malo Women’s Memorial Race
The Danita Malo Memorial Race started in 2022. It was named after Danita Malo who passed away from breast cancer in early 2022. Danita was a huge part of the organizing committee for the Winter Festival of Speed for many years. The idea for the women’s only race came from Lynn Burrough. 11 Women competed in 2022. The results are on the NASCC website. Crystal Anderson (Ken Staples daughter in law) had never ice raced before, hopped in Ken’s car & won the race. 13 competed in 2023.
Vintage
Motorcycle
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Emma Fitzpatrick from Brooks Alberta is the 1st woman to win an IMCA Canada Modified Feature Race
Watch for Amber Balcaen at Daytona International Speedway February 18
Hailie Deegan
North American Big Rig Racing Truck 58 Ashley Creed
Bart Family Racing – 3 Generations of Racing – All Champions
Shirley Muldowney
To do an article on Women in Motorsports you must mention Shirley Muldowney AKA “Cha Cha” & the “1st Lady of Drag Racing”. She was the 1st woman to receive a license from the NHRA & race a Top Fuel dragster. She won 3 the NHRA Top Fuel championship, 1977, 1980 & 1982. She also became the 1st person to win 2 & 3 NHRA Top Fuel Titles. In total Shirley Muldowney won 18 NHRA National Events.
Danica Patrick
Danica Patrick is a former professional race car driver & now NBC Sports Commentator. She was the 1st woman to win a INDYCAR race, the 2008 Indy Japan 300. IndyCar Series Most Popular Driver 2005–2010, 2005 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year. NASCAR: 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver, 1st woman to win pole at the 2013 Daytona 500.