With Changes in the Horizon for Formula 1, Will NASCAR Also Witness the Rise of Female Drivers in the Sport?

As per bleacherreport.com, in 2009, NASCAR had an audience composed of roughly 40% females and 60% males. While this stat may not look staggering as a standalone statement, it is something to think about considering the fact that this ratio alarmingly changes when we shift the focus to males and females working in pit crews, strategizing for race wins, or, most importantly, driving for the teams. 

This glaring absence of women is not just a story that has remained untold, but also one that has been swept under the carpet. In general, women have been able to make their headway and break the glass ceiling in sports. Sadly, a similar assertion is yet to be reinforced in the world of motorsports, especially NASCAR.

With Formula 1 setting the stage to reduce the gender gap and altering its gendered narrative, can the world of stock car racing learn its lessons and follow the same suit? Or will the hopes dwindle for the aspirational female drivers? For that, one has to delve deeper into the current standing of women in the sport and what are the future propositions that are available to these drivers.

Formula 1 takes the sport the next big step to make the sport diversified

“We are trying to change the perception of this being a very male-dominated environment.” These were the very words that Susie Wolff, Toto Wolff’s wife, said in her interview with People. Wolff’s hope of transforming the very understanding of the sport is finally on the verge of taking root in the world of Formula 1. The Formula 1 Academy hopes to provide the stage to women who aspire to wear the racing suit and stand toe to toe with males. 

Wolff hopes to amend the long unchallenged norm of motorsports by being able, “To develop and prepare young female drivers for higher levels of competition — including W Series, Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3.” Hailing from a racing background herself, with a significant amount of experience in racing, Wolff knows it better than it anyone else, what it takes to carve a spot for oneself in a sport that has witnessed a marginal inclusion of women. 

Nevertheless, with the foundation for the future already laid down, Susie Wolff is set to witness her dreams as a former racer come to fruition in the coming years. While this seems to be the burning story in the world of open-wheel racing, just across the Atlantic, a contrary picture comes to the forefront. 

Danica Patrick’s retirement leaves a void in the world of NASCAR

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Among the plethora of other sports, whether it is NFL or the NBA, NASCAR has always occupied a hallowed position on American soil. However, where the sport has failed to appeal to a greater mass is the presence of female drivers or personnel in the paddock. Although strides have been made to diversify the sport, the attempts have not been that fruitful. 

The last professional female driver who had broken the shackles of stereotypes and risen to the elite level of NASCAR was Danica Patrick. The former professional driver’s achievements even extend to IndyCar. Patrick is the sole female driver to have won a race in the IndyCar. And it is achievements like these that make her the most successful woman in the history of American open-wheel car racing.

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However, Patrick retired from racing back in 2017, and since then the sport has still been in its hunt to find the next female driver who would be able to make a dent where the major presence of females is arguably in the form of supporting wives and girlfriends. In an interview with the New York Times, Beth Paretta, an advocate for women in motorsports and an automotive entrepreneur, expressed her disappointment about the appalling condition regarding the under-representation of women in the sport.

She exclaimed, “It was probably a bit naïve to think that one woman’s success could make an immediate impact. Sure, it was great to see a feel-good story like Danica’s, but something needed to be done back then to sustain that momentum — and we still don’t truly have that.”

Will Hailie Deegan be able to come out of the shadows of Danica Patrick

It seems there might just be light at the end of the tunnel, as female drivers are finally making their way on the asphalts of NASCAR. One such prospect is Hailie Deegan. The young driver who rose from the ARCA as the only female driver to win the series championship, proving her worth as a driver for NASCAR’s Truck Series. 

Although the driver, may not have been able to notch a victory during her in the series, she claimed a spot at the feeding series of NASCAR, Xfinity, after signing a deal with AM Racing. She hopes to graduate to the elite series of NASCAR after a favorable run.

Deegan’s father, Brian Deegan, who is also a former motocross veteran, expressed to NBC, “She’s going to be a pioneer to break down all these barriers that haven’t been done yet. I’m excited that no girl has won yet because there is a chance to set records. That’s what our house has been about, setting records and creating new opportunities and just breaking down those barriers. I think she’s got a cool road ahead of her.”

From runways to road courses: Toni Breidinger takes the leap of faith in her career

Furthermore, in order to increase the female demographics in the sport, Busch Light in collaboration with NASCAR, unveiled its diversity program to make the sport more conducive to women. The brand has committed to spending $10 million for the next three years under the banner of Busch Light’s ‘Accelerate Her’ program. 

One of the drivers there was Toni Breidinger, who transitioned from being a model to a stock racing driver. In an interview, she stated, “I know firsthand that women drivers in NASCAR face obstacles in advancing to the highest level of the sport. But the track doesn’t know gender, the car doesn’t know gender, so gender is irrelevant. At the end of the day, we’re all drivers on the same track racing towards the same goal.”

“I’m proud to take part in the Busch Light Accelerate Her program alongside other women drivers because it’s not only an incredible new stream of direct support, but it’s the first real step toward spotlighting the gender imbalance.”

As every good thing takes time, NASCAR is finally paving the way for the female prodigies to make their mark on the asphalt. With transitions happening by leaps and bounds, the day is not far, when these drivers will be standing in the victory lane scoring their own championships. 

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