Pit Stops And Milestones
They were told "racing isn't for girls," but decided to prove everyone wrong anyway. These 20 women refused to stay in their lanes. Their stories stretch across generations, each adding fresh tire marks to a path that didn't exist before they arrived. Here are the 20 best female NASCAR drivers of all time!
1. Danica Patrick
When NASCAR needed a new face to thrill mainstream America, Danica Patrick answered the call. Her 2013 Daytona 500 pole shocked the racing world, making history as the first woman to achieve this feat. She stands holding seven top-10 finishes in the Cup Series.
2. Patty Moise
Few realize just how prolific Patty Moise's career truly was. Her 133 Xfinity Series starts between 1986 and 1998 represent remarkable longevity. In spite of competing mostly with underfunded teams, her seventh-place finish at Talladega in 1995 showcased her true potential behind the wheel.
Mike Kalasnik from Jersey City, USA on Wikimedia
3. Janet Guthrie
The former aerospace engineer's sixth-place finish at Bristol in 1977 emerged as the best result by a woman for nearly 40 years. Her determination opened doors despite facing absurd resistance. It is said that male drivers once threatened to boycott races if she competed.
The Adventures of Janet Guthrie: How her career changed NASCAR | NASCAR RACE HUB by NASCAR on FOX
4. Shawna Robinson
Three NASCAR Dash Series victories between 1988 and 1989 still distinguish Shawna Robinson's career. The Iowa native belongs to an exclusive club of just four women who've won NASCAR touring series races. Her racing journey spanned decades, starting from the Busch Series.
Shawna Robinson: Quit Was Never A Word by Dale Earnhardt Jr'.s Dirty Mo Media
5. Hailie Deegan
"Move him or wreck him" became Deegan's signature racing style. The California native's last-lap pass for her first K&N Pro Series West win at Meridian in 2018 made her the first female winner. Fiercely competitive, Deegan followed with two more victories in 2019.
Zach Catanzareti Photo on Wikimedia
6. Nicole Behar
Behar is a fifth-generation racer who began go-karting after her sixth birthday and transitioned to full-bodied cars at age 14. This champ made headlines in 2015 by finishing second at the King Taco Catering/NAPA Auto Parts 150. She was soon selected for the “Drive for Diversity” program.
7. Jennifer Jo Cobb
The dual role of driver-owner distinguishes Jennifer Jo Cobb from others. Since 2002, she's made over 230 starts in the Truck Series while simultaneously running her team. Cobb's profession as a racer began alongside her father in 1991. She owns a clothing line called Driver Boutique.
Senior Airman Jacob Morgan on Wikimedia
8. Johanna Long
Here comes one of the youngest females in 2010 to compete in NASCAR's Truck Series. This woman made her debut at just 19 years old. Johanna Long's racing journey began with a Snowball Derby win. She competed in 42 Xfinity Series races between 2012 and 2015.
Copyright the Long Family. Uploaded by The Bushranger at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
9. Toni Breidinger
Racing's first Arab-American lady competitor brought unprecedented diversity to this company. Toni Breidinger's ARCA record speaks volumes—27 top-10 finishes. Her unique occupations as a racer and a Victoria's Secret model has helped attract new demographics to motorsports while securing mainstream attention.
10. Milka Duno
As a Venezuelan former professional race car driver, Duno is recognized for her accomplishments in multiple top-level motorsport series. These include sports cars, IndyCar, ARCA, and NASCAR. She competed in one Truck Series race in 2014, with a best Truck finish of 25th at Talladega.
Jeffrey Keeton from Birmingham, USA on Wikimedia
11. Maryeve Dufault
Maryeve Dufault's racing background included Formula BMW, Star Mazda, and even the prestigious Formula 3 series in Europe before she switched to stock cars. Between 2011 and 2013, she made two NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, becoming one of the few Canadian women to compete at this level.
12. Gracie Trotter
A historic victory at Las Vegas Motor Speedway's Bullring instantly certified Gracie Trotter's racing legitimacy. Becoming the first woman to bag an ARCA Menards Series race in 2020 put her in rare company. Trotter emerged through NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program in 2015.
Gracie Trotter Pre Race Toledo Interview by Casey Campbell
13. Tammy Jo Kirk
Motorcycle racing success translated well to four wheels for this competitor. Her NASCAR Slim Jim All-Pro Series Most Popular Driver award in 1994 demonstrated her fan appeal. Besides, the Georgia native holds 37 top-ten finishes and two pole positions in the All-Pro Series.
14. Natalie Decker
That stunning fifth-place finish at Daytona in 2020 still stands as the highest placement ever by a woman in NASCAR Truck Series history. Decker's racing roots trace back to winning Snowball Derby pole positions and earning the Triple Crown Super Truck Series Rookie of the Year.
15. Isabella Robusto
Toyota Racing Development's faith in Isabella Robusto was validated when she won a pole at Kansas in the ARCA Series. Across three ARCA divisions in her debut season, the young driver recorded five top-5s as well as eight top-10s in only eleven races.
16. Erin Crocker
Multiple pole positions in the ARCA Racing Series displayed Erin Crocker's raw speed behind the wheel. Her development deal with Evernham Motorsports provided opportunities in NASCAR's Truck Series. This was a rare direct pipeline to top equipment for a female racer.
Freewheeling Daredevil on Wikimedia
17. Amber Balcen
Canadian racing history changed forever when Amber Balcaen became the first woman from her country to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the United States. The founding of her own company, Amber Balcaen Racing Inc., proved the entrepreneurial spirit that helped sustain her career.
18. Chrissy Wallace
Wallace made her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in 2010 at Daytona but crashed on the first lap. However, in 2011, she bagged the American Speed Association Late Model track championship at Lebanon I-44 Speedway. It was the same track where her father won in 1990.
What's Chrissy Wallace Up To These Days? by Kenny Wallace
19. Julia Landauer
Academic excellence at Stanford University, combined with racing talent, makes Julia Landauer unique among other competitors. Her fourth-place championship finish in the 2016 K&N Pro Series West included seven top-five finishes. Landuere also participated in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
20. Angela Ruch
Racing royalty runs in Ruch's family as the niece of 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope. Her NASCAR journey includes 14 Xfinity Series starts over the past four years since her 2011 entry. Her average finish is said to be 24.2.
