NASCAR honors Janet Guthrie

[lkjohnson1950]

Those of us of a certain age who follow American racing series should remember Janet Guthrie. She was the first woman to qualify for the Indy 500. A lot of fans don't realize she was also the first woman to qualify for a NASCAR cup race, the World 600 at Charlotte. She was the first woman to qualify for the Daytona 500 and the first to lead a Cup race. At the time of her entry at Charlotte, women were banned from the pits. Everyone thought there was no way she could finish. The cars weighed 3700 pounds and had no power steering. She finished 15th, a number of laps behind, but she finished. Friday she was honored by NASCAR with the Hall of Fame 2024 Landmark Award. I'm sure someday a woman will come along who can be fully competitive in any series she wants to enter. When that happens, she will owe a debt to Janet for the abuse she took opening the doors.

https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/01/19/janet-guthrie-reflects-2024-landmark-award/#:~:text=On%20Friday%20night%2C%20Guthrie%20will,the%20growth%20and%20esteem%20of

[cosworth151]

She finished 15th, a number of laps behind, but she finished.

Considering she was a rookie driving for a small team in the days before NASCAR's current spec racer rules, she did very well.

[Jericoke]

I knew about Guthrie in the Indy but didn't know about NASCAR. That's great that she's being recognized

It is frustrating that several women have "opened the door" to women in racing but it feels like it gets slammed behind them (no fault of their own, they've done all they can)

From what I've heard it's the abuse girls endure at the karting level that stops women from developing in the numbers that would make top level racers inevitable.

I really hope that Hamilton, Wolff and everyone involved in F1 Academy can help ensure women, girls (and everyone with a lead foot) is welcomed with open arms at all levels

[lkjohnson1950]

The only Acura NSX in the Daytona 24 next weekend is driven by a team comprising 3 women and 1 man. Katherine Legge qualified it 3rd yesterday. An all female team is entered in a Lamborghini, and Michelle Gatting qualified it 13th, about .6 off the pole sitter's time and .1+ faster than Grosjean in a similar Lambo.

[Jericoke]

The only Acura NSX in the Daytona 24 next weekend is driven by a team comprising 3 women and 1 man. Katherine Legge qualified it 3rd yesterday. An all female team is entered in a Lamborghini, and Michelle Gatting qualified it 13th, about .6 off the pole sitter's time and .1+ faster than Grosjean in a similar Lambo.

Looks like I'm wrong and someone HAS made sure the door is propped open. Thank you for the update!