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Deep in northern Michigan, where entertainment options are limited and community bonds run strong, Caitlin Bernard carries forward an extraordinary motorsports legacy. As the fourth generation of women in her family to race at Whittemore Speedway, she follows in the tire tracks of her great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother who all competed at the same local track.

Growing up on a farm and riding four-wheelers by age five, Bernard's journey to racing feels almost predestined. Yet surprisingly, she discovered her family's racing heritage only after she began competing herself. "I am the fourth female generation driver on my mom's side at Whittemore Speedway," she reveals, a lineage tracing back to when the track was still dirt and women competed in "Powder Puff" divisions.

What makes Bernard's story particularly compelling is her grassroots approach to motorsports. Racing a converted 2003 Buick Regal that was once her daily driver, she exemplifies how racing can be accessible without breaking the bank. "When we put the car together I probably put a grand into it," she explains, noting she's now competing in the top 10 with a completely stock motor.

Beyond the competition, Bernard's experience highlights the tight-knit community that defines small-town racing. In her front-wheel drive class, which regularly fields 15-20 cars per night, competitors maintain a family-like atmosphere despite the on-track rivalries. "We might bicker back and forth once in a while, we have rivals once in a while," she says, "but at the end of the day it's like we're one family."

When not at the track, Bernard embodies a quintessential Michigan lifestyle – studying to become a registered medical assistant while tending to her homestead with ducks, geese, and dogs. Her story reminds us that motorsports isn't just about professional aspirations, but about community connections, family traditions, and the pure joy of competition. Ready to discover your own motorsports journey? There's a place for you at the track, no matter your background or budget.

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