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Delaney Dunn's racing journey is one of perseverance, breaking barriers, and finding strength in what makes her unique. Racing for 11 years since age 15, this 26-year-old driver from Otis, Maine has transformed from an uncertain rookie into the newly-crowned "Queen of the Oval" in the Ladies Acceleration Tour.

The path to Victory Lane wasn't straightforward for Delaney. After eight years without a feature win, she finally broke through at Oxford Plains in a rental race car - a moment she describes as feeling "like I won the Oxford 250." Her determination was tested further last year when she was involved in a viral crash with an ATV on track, an incident that could have ended her racing career. Instead, she bounced back stronger.

What many don't know about Delaney is that she races while being on the autism spectrum, receiving her diagnosis at 17 after she had already begun racing. Rather than viewing this as a limitation, Delaney considers her autism a "superpower" that enhances her racing abilities, giving her a sixth sense when it comes to car handling and translating sensory input into actionable feedback for her crew.

Now competing in a 2009 Chevy Cobalt in the Ladies Acceleration Tour's four-cylinder "hornet" division, Delaney races alongside women aged 16 to 56 at tracks throughout Maine and New Hampshire. She's achieved the remarkable feat of securing a top-three finish at every currently active racetrack in Maine, winning at three of the five venues.

With four races remaining and points standings incredibly tight, Delaney remains focused on consistent performance to potentially claim the overall championship. For aspiring racers, especially young women, her advice is simple: "Start early, earlier the better." Her story stands as powerful proof that with persistence, support, and self-belief, remarkable achievements are possible regardless of your starting point or the challenges you face.

Feel inspired by Delaney's story? Follow the Women's Motorsports Network for more profiles of extraordinary female racers breaking barriers and changing the motorsports landscape one lap at a time.

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