INDIANAPOLIS -
A trip to a kart race can be an eye opening experience for the average race fan.
Intertwined within the traditional white male demographic are a consitantly growing number of females who are becoming more the norm on the track rather than the exception.
Yet the amount of female drivers in the elite series isn't as prominent. NASCAR currently has no women racing in the Sprint Cup Series, IndyCar has three in the Indianapolis 500, but only Danica Patrick races full time.
NHRA, however, is the exception. Since the 1970's, according the series, 43 women have raced in the top series, with 11 pickup wins in the top tier of Drag Racing. Two of the series most recognizable faces are women, with Ashley Force Hood and Hillary Will. 30 years ago, it was Shirley Muldowney that became the first in the top drag racing series to capture three consecutive season titles.
"She did that before any man had done that," said veteran NHRA Driver Melanie Troxel of the accomplishment. "I think we were a little ahead of other motorsports."
Troxel, who has raced off and on since 1997, believes that Muldowney's accomplishments opened the door more for female drag racers earlier than open wheel and stockcar racing.
"She not only came out and competed against the guys, but she won three national championships and kinda kicked the door open and said 'Hey, we're gonna be here."
The Muldowney of IndyCar now would appear to be Danica Patrick, who became the first female in the IndyCar Series at Motegi in 2008, and became the first female to lead the Indianapolis 500 in 2005. Lyn St James-who raced in seven Indianapolis 500s-believes that Patrick should be a focal point in the women's racing movement, but not relied on for it's entire success.
"I don't think its fair to put the entire responsibility for the success of women racing on Danica's shoulders," said St. James of Patrick. "I really think it should be broader and given more opportunities for women to succeed rather than just waiting for Danica to be so successful that people can't deny it."
Sarah Fisher has made some inroads in the IndyCar series more off the track than on, becoming the first female driver and owner in the series' history.
"We've taken the whole women in motorsports thing to the next level in being and athlete and an entrepreneur," said Fisher of her exploits in open wheel racing. "We're doing our part and we've got to a better job of doing it."
Read: Auto Racing News
One area would be NASCAR, which has just three women race this year in the truck series, and none in the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series. Not since Shawna Robinson started the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in 2002 has a woman raced in NASCAR top level event.
"You have to give the ones (Female Drivers) the best opportunity to succeed, so they continue to attract more (attention)" said Guthrie of future advancements for female drivers.
Intertwined within the traditional white male demographic are a consitantly growing number of females who are becoming more the norm on the track rather than the exception.
Yet the amount of female drivers in the elite series isn't as prominent. NASCAR currently has no women racing in the Sprint Cup Series, IndyCar has three in the Indianapolis 500, but only Danica Patrick races full time.
NHRA, however, is the exception. Since the 1970's, according the series, 43 women have raced in the top series, with 11 pickup wins in the top tier of Drag Racing. Two of the series most recognizable faces are women, with Ashley Force Hood and Hillary Will. 30 years ago, it was Shirley Muldowney that became the first in the top drag racing series to capture three consecutive season titles.
"She did that before any man had done that," said veteran NHRA Driver Melanie Troxel of the accomplishment. "I think we were a little ahead of other motorsports."
Troxel, who has raced off and on since 1997, believes that Muldowney's accomplishments opened the door more for female drag racers earlier than open wheel and stockcar racing.
"She not only came out and competed against the guys, but she won three national championships and kinda kicked the door open and said 'Hey, we're gonna be here."
The Muldowney of IndyCar now would appear to be Danica Patrick, who became the first female in the IndyCar Series at Motegi in 2008, and became the first female to lead the Indianapolis 500 in 2005. Lyn St James-who raced in seven Indianapolis 500s-believes that Patrick should be a focal point in the women's racing movement, but not relied on for it's entire success.
"I don't think its fair to put the entire responsibility for the success of women racing on Danica's shoulders," said St. James of Patrick. "I really think it should be broader and given more opportunities for women to succeed rather than just waiting for Danica to be so successful that people can't deny it."
Sarah Fisher has made some inroads in the IndyCar series more off the track than on, becoming the first female driver and owner in the series' history.
"We've taken the whole women in motorsports thing to the next level in being and athlete and an entrepreneur," said Fisher of her exploits in open wheel racing. "We're doing our part and we've got to a better job of doing it."
Read: Auto Racing News
One area would be NASCAR, which has just three women race this year in the truck series, and none in the Nationwide and Sprint Cup Series. Not since Shawna Robinson started the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in 2002 has a woman raced in NASCAR top level event.
"You have to give the ones (Female Drivers) the best opportunity to succeed, so they continue to attract more (attention)" said Guthrie of future advancements for female drivers.
