In 2013, The New York Times ran an article that effectively shut down any chance Tia Norfleet had at a NASCAR career. Don't miss a story! Ty Dillon. Natalie Decker stands by her truck during qualifying for the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series Corrigan Oil 200 in Brooklyn, Mich., Aug. 10, 2019. Indianapolis 500 career earnings: $2,865,240. The 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock race at Langhorne Speedway featured three female racers, Louise Smith (from left), Sara Christian and Ethel Flock Mobley. . Let's check out five female NASCAR drivers that deserve a shot in the Cup Series. Goldie Parsons (1 / 1965) On top of funding, gaining respect in the sport as a woman is another obstacle, she and Breidinger said. Danica Patrick (191 / 2012-2018) Then, keep on reading our list of best female NASCAR drivers. Despite competing on only six of eight races, Christian finished 13th in points in 1949, her only full season of competition. She never really had a chance. Two year later, Patrick would earn the pole at the 2012 DRIVE4COPD 300, becoming the first female driver since Shawna Robinson to clinch it. She finished 5th, the highest finish for a female, in the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series in 2020, Daytona. Patrick didn't win a race in seven seasons, but her seven top-10 finishes are most among female drivers in NASCAR history. She won the Snowball Derby in 1994. The article claimed that she had faced criminal charges in her youth, which Tia has not denied. She is one of the 16 women to ever participate in the NASCAR Cup Series and one of only three female drivers to race in the Daytona 500. In 2007, she earned the title of the first female driver winner at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Hailie Deegan, American Motorsports Racing Driver (Source: The Tennessean). Toni Breidinger (born July 14, 1999) is an American professional stock car racing driver & Victoria's Secret Model who competes full-time for Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. During college, the Norfolk State women's basketball point guard said she never once thought about NASCAR as a sport, let alone a career. More power to them! It's as close to a biopic as Junior Johnson (driver, and later team owner) would ever get, and it delves deep into the bad boy image of "Junior Jackson," a bootlegger turned racing impresario. [15] While the program has succeeded in launching the careers of minority drivers including NASCAR Cup Series race winner Kyle Larson, Camping World Truck Series race winner Bubba Wallace, and 2016 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion Daniel Surez, the program's early years were less effective in expanding the roster of female drivers in NASCAR's top touring series. Her 2022 racing stats: 31.00 average starts and 32.00 average finish while not finishing once in pole position. Fifi Scott (2 / 1955) In addition to Breidinger, Decker and Balcaen, the other recipients of the inaugural sponsorship are Jennifer Jo Cobb, Melissa Fifield, Stephanie Moyer and Brittney Zamora, Busch Light said. Formerly Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series Elite Division (2012) and Whelen Euro Series Elite Division (2013), Formerly Euro-Racecar NASCAR Touring Series Open Division (2012) and Whelen Euro Series Open Division (2013), Note: Full statistics only available beginning with 2014 season, AutoZone Elite Division, Midwest Series (200406), Formerly RE/MAX Challenge Series (19982002) and International Truck and Engine Corporation Midwest Series (2003), AutoZone Elite Division, Northwest Series (200406), Formerly Northwest Tour (198586), Winston Northwest Tour (198794), REB-CO Northwest Tour (199597), and Raybestos Northwest Series (19982003), AutoZone Elite Division, Southeast Series (200406), Formerly Winston All Pro Series (199193), Slim Jim All-Pro Series (19942000), Gatorade All Pro Series (2001), Hills Bros. All Pro Series (2002), and Kodak Southeast Series (2003), AutoZone Elite Division, Southwest Series (200306), Formerly Featherlite Southwest Tour (19862002), Formerly Baby Grand Division (197579), International Sedan Series (198082), Darlington Dash Series (198384), Daytona Dash Series (1985), Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series (198689) and Dash Series (199091), Note: Only partial statistics available for the late 1970s, Whelen Southern Modified Tour (20052016).