Lady Pure Stock Championship Race
by Karen Salvaggio

The chill in the October air couldn't dampen the spirit of the lady racers that gathered at Irwindale Speedway on October 9 for the season finale of the Lady Pure Stocks. Fourteen of Southern California's best women drivers showed up with fire suits, helmets, and a winning frame of mind, as they took to the track on this Saturday night in what would be the highest stakes race of the season.

The evening's festivities began with a driver meet and greet on the front stretch of the daunting oval speedway. Amidst skid marks and brake dust from previous races, fans and members of the media bustled from car to car, securing autographs from their favorite drivers, and taking the opportunity to check out the racecars. The lady drivers were certainly busy, taking time for photos with fans, and sharing words of encouragement with future racers. With a purse of more than $7,000 in cash and prizes though, it wasn't long after the meet and greet that these ladies were all business as they prepared for the 20-lap, season finale.

It was well after ten o'clock when the Lady Pure Stock Drivers took to the track, and the crowd was certainly amped-up for them, as the ladies race followed a ground-breaking performance by USAC Ford Focus Midget driver Audra Sasselli, who won the feature race in her division, becoming the first woman driver to win a USAC feature at Irwindale Speedway. Earlier that same evening, lady pure stock driver Michelle Rouse was presented a plaque recognizing her as the first women driver to secure wins in not only one, but two men's division races in the 2004 season.

When the green flag fell, Michelle Rouse (90) quickly moved to the front of the field, followed closely by Ronnie Everhart (09). Hard chargers included Kellie Young (28), who moved up seven positions, and Amee Blue (23) who advanced eight positions to secure a top three finish. Track sales and marketing manager Wendi Westbrook, who also serves as on-track interviewer, strapped into the number 99 car, and turned in a solid seventh place finish.

When the checkered flag fell, it was Michelle Rouse securing the top trophy, with Ronnie Everhart (2 nd ) and Amee Blue in 3 rd position. Other top ten finishers included: Kin Unruh's impressive 4 th place, Melissa Watson's solid 5 th , Kelly Young 6 th , Wendi Westbrook 7 th, Ginger Bryk 8 th , Julianne Seeley 9 th , and Chris Good nailing10 th place. While finishing out of the top ten, Izzy Lewis, Elizabeth Walter, Eba Atkins, and Debra Zubia, drove hard, and certainly put on a memorable performance for the supportive crowd. The hard charger award was presented to Amee Blue, and Izzy Lewis was given the hard luck award for a pre-race accident that left her racecar and trailer damaged on the freeway on the way to the track. In true racer fashion, Izzy and her crew quickly secured the services of a tow company, fixed the car, and turned in a solid performance in the race. Amee Blue turned in fast qualifying time, with an awesome19.403 second circuit of the track.

Event organizers Dave Foster and Jimmy Rouse are to be commended for the awesome awards, and impressive purse assembled for this event. These men are true supporters of women in racing, and their hard work and commitment to racing presented these lady drivers with the largest purse in lady pure stock history. The list of key supporters included more than 50 individuals and local businesses that contributed to the awards. Thunder Valley Racing salutes the efforts of all involved, including the Irwindale Speedway track management, for their hard work in developing opportunities for women in racing.

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