Editor's Notebook, July 1, 2005
by Karen Salvaggio

Karen Salvaggio

Whew!! It’s been one busy month here at Thunder Valley Racing. Breaking news on women drivers securing quality team sponsorships, and moving into the premier racing series now pours in on a daily basis. As the editor of the Thunder Valley Racing site, these stories are inspiring, and it’s now only a matter of time until a woman driver secures that first victory in a top ranked racing series.

As the 2005 season began, a synergy had already developed around women racers. A number of accomplished NASCAR teams (including Richard Childress Racing, Bobby Hamilton Racing, and Evernham Motorsports) had already signed women drivers for development in the upcoming season. Most notable of these signings was Sarah Fisher’s transition from the Indy Racing League to the ranks of NASCAR. Through a partnership with Childress Racing, and under the capable guidance of the Bill McAnally Race (BMR) team, Sarah is now competing in the Grand National West Series. Late Model driver Allison Duncan also joined the BMR team this year, and has already proven her driving talent by securing a win at Stockton ’s 99 Speedway in June, making her the first women in the Drive for Diversity program to secure a NASCAR feature win.

Other drivers currently in development programs include Erin Crocker, currently competing under the watchful eye of team owner Ray Evernham (former crew chief for Jeff Gordon’s successful Winston Cup team) in a limited schedule in the ARCA series. Erin moved into stockcars from the open wheel ranks, and keeps her USAC skills honed driving a Kasey Kahne owned open-wheel car in the Silver Crown series. In late June, Keith Coleman Racing (KCR) announced that Kim Crosby had joined the team as the driver of the “Salute to Our Troops” #26 car competing in the Busch Series. Seasoned truck racer Deborah Renshaw is also honing her driving skills, competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, under the talented direction of Bobby Hamilton’s BHR2 race team.

These significant developments, and the flurry of activity on the Thunder Valley Racing web site indicates that the potential benefits of a woman driver to a race team, and subsequently to their sponsors, is only now beginning to be realized. It seems that the race is on for every major racing stable to secure a woman racer for their driver development program, and opportunities for women in racing have never been better. One truth still remains though: Publicity, public opinion, or limitless amounts of sponsorship dollars will not propel women racers to the top of their field….Woman drivers will only earn their way into these premier series by demonstrating competent driving skills, ability to develop trust with their racing colleagues, by paying their dues, and through solid, competitive performances on the track.

I am to proud to serve at the helm of the premier source for women racers and their fans. The blue and yellow signature colors of the Thunder Valley Racing site, which harkens the racer’s “move over” flag, have perhaps never been more appropriate. As these, and countless other women racers continue to develop their driving skills, it might be time to make room at the top boys, because it looks like the ladies are movin’ on up!

Home | About Us | Contact Us
Site Map | Privacy Policy | Copyright
Site By Pithy Productions, Inc.