Women in Motorsports: More Than a Seat Behind the Wheel

Walk through the pits at almost any racetrack today and one thing is becoming increasingly clear: motorsports isn’t just a man’s world.

Women are driving race cars, turning wrenches, owning teams, promoting tracks, working on safety crews, taking photos, writing stories, spotting, scoring, selling sponsorships, raising the next generation of racers — and sometimes doing several of those things at once.

And while women in racing aren’t necessarily new, the visibility they’re receiving certainly is.

They’ve Always Been Here

For generations, women have played a role in keeping grassroots racing alive.

Some climbed behind the wheel. Others worked quietly behind the scenes while their husbands, fathers, brothers or children raced. They sold tickets, scored races, handled registrations, organized banquets, found sponsors, worked concession stands and kept race teams functioning.

Many never had their names painted on the side of a car.

That didn’t make their contribution any less important.

Today, more women are stepping into visible roles throughout motorsports — and younger girls are growing up seeing possibilities that weren’t always as obvious before.

It Goes Far Beyond the Driver’s Seat

When we talk about women in motorsports, the conversation often immediately turns to female drivers.

They’re absolutely part of the story.

But they’re not the whole story.

Look around your local racing community and you’ll find women working as mechanics, photographers, officials, media representatives, engineers, business owners, promoters, team managers, crew members and series administrators.

Some grew up at the racetrack. Others discovered racing later in life and found a community they never expected to become part of.

There isn’t one way to belong in motorsports.

The Next Generation Is Watching

Maybe the most exciting part is what happens next.

Every little girl walking through a pit area today is watching.

She’s watching the woman strap into a race car.

She’s watching the woman with a wrench in her hand.

She’s watching the photographer climbing onto the infield.

She’s watching the official making the call.

She’s watching the woman running the race team or helping promote the event.

And somewhere along the way, instead of thinking, “Can girls do that?”

She gets to think:

“Which one do I want to do?”

That’s how a sport grows.

Racing Xtravaganza Wants to Continue the Conversation

Racing Xtravaganza has always been about bringing the motorsports community together — across divisions, generations, tracks and different corners of the industry.

That means making room for conversations about where racing has been, where it is today and where it’s headed next.

Women are an important part of that story.

At the 2027 Racing Xtravaganza, we want to celebrate the women who have helped build this sport, the women making an impact today and the girls who may become its future.

So we want to hear from you.

Who is a woman in motorsports who deserves some recognition?

Maybe she’s a driver.

Maybe she’s a mechanic.

Maybe she’s a track or series official.

Maybe she’s a photographer, promoter, team owner, crew member or racing mom who somehow keeps an entire operation moving every weekend.

Or maybe she’s someone whose contribution most people never see.

Tell us her story.

Because motorsports isn’t built by one person, one division or one generation.

And it certainly isn’t built by only one gender.

MEET – COMPETE – EVOLVE.

Racing Xtravaganza 2027

January 29–30, 2027

York Expo Center