Lyn St James racing career began with driving her Ford Pinto into the swamp in Florida during her first SCCA competition. But that 1974 swamp finish at Palm Beach International Raceway only fueled Lyn St. James’ determination to succeed.
Lyn St. James' story is a remarkable one. It culminated into a victory few others could claim - winning the title of Rookie of the Year (1992) and in a sport few women were allowed to participate. She became the first woman to become a full-time driver in the Indy Car World Series and in her determination to get there, she set 31 international and national closed circuit speed records.
Lyn St. James rose through the ranks of motorsports to compete as a seven-time driver for the Indy 500 and eventually became known as the American Woman Racing Icon of the Century.
A strong advocate for women in the motorsports industry, particularly women who aspire to the professional level in racing, Lyn St. James established the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation in 1994, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to professional development for talented, up-and-coming young women race car drivers.
The Women in the Winner’s Circle Academy: The Complete Driver program, an invitation-only program, is the most comprehensive educational and training program of its kind for talented women race drivers who aspire to the professional levels of motorsports.
The Academy has a two-fold purpose:
1) Identify potential champion women drivers who have demonstrated success on
the track and have a desire to pursue a career in professional motorsports; and
2) Create an experience that will provide the tools to further women drivers’ careers in motorsports as well as enhance their lives on and off the track.
Track Chic was privileged to join Lyn St. James at the 6th Annual Women in the Winner's Circle Luncheon held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday July 24 to celebrate women race car drivers in all race series as well as raise funds to sustain the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation programs that support, celebrate, educate and train aspiring young women drivers.
More than 40 women racers were introduced from all forms of motor sports by St. James and co-host, Jamie Little, ESPN/ABC Pit Reporter, along with industry leaders such as Mike Helton, Joie Chitwood, Tom Compton, Ron Drager, Jim Jordan, Les Unger, Kevin Miller and others.
"There is more interest in female drivers than when we first held this event in 2003," said St. James, 1992 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year. "More and more, women are receiving opportunities to prove themselves on the track. And, increasingly, women are rising to higher levels of racing and earning their place on the podium” says Lyn St. James.
Although struggling with a heavy cast after painful surgery to repair old injuries to her foot, Lyn’s face animates as she boasts about this group of talented women honored today. "Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation has made its most significant commitment yet to assist up-and-coming racers through the introduction of Project Podium, a grant program that develops partnerships with companies, organizations and individuals to provide meaningful financial support to highly qualified young women drivers – to improve their results and ultimately be able to move to the next level. Today, five young women drivers are benefiting from our inaugural funding cycle.“
Ranging in age from 12-35, these women have already accomplished more than most of us in our entire lifetime. Their confidence, grit, drive, and determination is inspiring,
St. James adds proudly, “These women are the future of racing. These are the women who have the talent, determination and dedication to be top-level drivers. Someone in this group is the next Danica Patrick, Sarah Fisher, Ashley Force, Melanie Troxel or Ana Beatriz."
Watch for them, cheer for them, support them --- they are Track Chic and they are phenomenal!
| Amber Anderson |
25 |
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
www.amberanderson.com.au |
|
| Colbi Bradley |
19 |
Flowery Branch, GA |
www.colbi-bradley.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Jessica Brannam |
17 |
McHenry, IL |
www.jessicabrannam.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Jessica Brunelli |
15 |
Hayward, CA |
www.brunelliracing.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Kristin Brumbera |
20 |
Sealy, TX |
|
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Jill Canuso |
36 |
Marlton, NJ |
www.jillcanuso.com |
2005 WWC Driver Academy |
| Tracey Chambers |
26 |
Timberlake, NC |
www.techracing.com |
2005 WWC Driver Academy |
| Erin Crocker |
27 |
Wilbraham, MA |
www.erincrocker.com
|
1998 WWC Driver Academy |
| Tiffany Daniels |
23 |
Concord, NC |
www.tiffdaniels.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy
Track Chic's Woman Behind the Wheels June 2008 |
| Gabriele DiCarlo |
23 |
Phoenix, AZ |
www.gabidicarlo.com |
2001 WWC Driver Academy |
| Renee Dupuis |
35 |
Glastonbury, CT |
www.reneedupuis.com |
1994WWC Driver Academy |
| Sondi Eden |
31 |
Crawfordsville, IN |
www.sondieden.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Amy Elizondo |
21 |
Mesa, AZ |
www.amyelizondo.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Kaley Engstrom |
13 |
Rhome, TX |
www.kaleyengstrom.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Megan Engstrom |
15 |
Rhome, TX |
|
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Nicki Evans |
16 |
Rockwall, TX |
www.angelgirlracing.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Natalie Fenaroli |
12 |
Raymore, MO |
www.natliefenaroli.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Amanda Ferguson |
15 |
Montverde, FL |
www.amandafergusonracing.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Ashley Freiberg |
16 |
Homer Glen, IL |
www.ashleyfreibergracing.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Jennifer Greenberg |
19 |
Albuquerque, NM |
www.jengreenberg.com |
2006 WWC Driver Academy |
| Katie Hagar |
22 |
Sacramento, CA |
www.katiehagar.com |
2005 WWC Driver Academy |
| Katie Hargitt |
17 |
Indianapolis, IN |
www.katiehargittracing.com |
2005 WWC Driver Academy |
| Sloan Henderson |
16 |
Franklin, OH |
www.sloanhenderson.com |
2005 WWC Driver Academy |
| Brianna Hershey |
16 |
Dillsburg, PA |
www.briehershey.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Kim Hughes |
17 |
Maybee, MI |
www.kimhughesracing.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Justine Jackson |
17 |
Kingston, Jamaica |
www.justinejackson.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Brandie Jess |
15 |
Byran, TX |
|
2007 WWC Driver Academy and
2008 Project Podium Grant Recipient
|
| Lindsey King |
19 |
Cherry Valley, CA |
www.lindseyking.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy and
2008 Project Podium Grant Recipient |
| Kristen Knoll |
13 |
Buffalo, NY |
|
|
| Julia Landauer |
16 |
New York, NY |
www.julialandauer.com |
2005 WWC Driver Academy |
| Alison MacLeod |
19 |
Missiauga, Ontario, Canada |
www.alisonmacleodracing.com |
2004 WWC Driver Academy and
Recipient of USAC Kara Hendrick Spirit
Award |
| Shanon McIntosh |
19 |
Miamisburg, OH |
www.shannonmcintosh.com |
2006 WWC Driver Academy |
| Verna Mei |
27 |
Long Beach, CA |
www.stargirlracing.com |
|
| Jackie Miller |
16 |
Whitelnd, IN |
|
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Stephanie Mockler |
20 |
Westfield, IN |
www.stephaniemockler.com |
|
| Ashlee Mossi |
18 |
Petaluma, CA |
|
2006 WWC Driver Academy |
| Leilani Munter |
32 |
Cornelius, NC |
www.leilanimunter.com |
|
| Alli Owens |
19 |
Mooresville, NC |
www.alliowens.com |
2004 WWC Driver Academy |
| Megan Reitenour |
17 |
Miamisburg, OH |
www.meganreitenour.com
|
2005 WWC Driver Academy and
2008 Project Podium Grant Recipient |
| Molly Rhoads |
26 |
Hastings, MN |
www.mollyrhoads.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Natalie Sather |
23 |
Fargo, ND |
www.nataliesather.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Caitlin Shaw |
18 |
Albuquerque, NM |
www.caitlinshawracing.com |
2008 WWC Driver Academy |
| Samantha Taylor |
16 |
Bonney Lake, WA |
www.samanthataylor.net |
2005 WWC Driver Academy |
| Miranda Throckmorton |
16 |
Coatesville, IN |
www.mirandathrockmorton.com |
2005 WWC Driver Academy and
2008 Project Podium Grant Recipient |
| Lynsey Tilton |
24 |
San Diego, CA |
www.lynseytiltonracing.com |
2000 WWC Driver Academy |
Former Women in the Winner's Circle participants include Danica Patrick, Sarah Fisher, Erica Crocker.
Their success today serves as a great tribute to Lyn St. James’ commitment to women and the sport she loves.
 View Track Chic’s interview with Lyn St James and today’s young drivers, including Alison MacLeod, winner of the USAC Kara Hendrick Spirit Award, a special recognition of her sprit, determination, and driving ability reminiscent of the excellence demonstrated by Kara Hendrick during her brief career.
Join Track Chic as we celebrate the progress women have made in this sport and recognize the challenges that are still ahead.
Please visit www.lynstjames.com to learn more about the The Women in the Winner’s Circle Academy:
The Complete Driver and Project Podium and how your support can ensure a woman’s place in tomorrow’s history.
Special Thanks to:
Lyn St. James
Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation
Jan Fambro
Speedworks, LLC
Linda Rosenberg
Main Gate, Inc.
Hostess
Beth Bell
Track Chic Member
Indianapolis, Indiana
Photos Courtesy of Lyn St. James
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