Women's Motorsports Network Podcast - Fuel Her Future Podcast

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Passion fuels Ava Weil's racing journey across dirt and asphalt, creating a remarkable story of perseverance and growth. This high school senior from Plymouth, Indiana doesn't just race – she lives and breathes motorsports with dreams of turning her passion into a career through motorsports management.

Ava's racing roots run deep, beginning at age four when she climbed into her brother's quarter midget for the first time. Though she stepped away from quarter midgets after two years to balance school and sports, racing remained in her blood. At thirteen, she found herself back in the motorsports world, working alongside her uncle and cousin on their street stock and modified cars, absorbing knowledge that would later prove invaluable.

The most fascinating turn in Ava's story comes with her transition from asphalt to dirt racing. After purchasing a front-wheel-drive car at fourteen that rarely saw track time due to her busy sports schedule, a chance invitation to try a go-kart on dirt opened an entirely new chapter. Despite having no dirt experience, Ava's natural talent shone through – finishing second in just her second race with her own kart. Now in her second season, she's claimed three victories and secured multiple sponsors.

What makes Ava's experience particularly noteworthy is her position as one of only three females racing at MoCarts of Marshall County. Her success isn't just personal – it's inspirational. She actively encourages more girls to enter motorsports, even letting young girls try her kart after races to spark their interest. Her philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: racing means more to her than typical teenage activities because it fulfills a deeper passion.

The technical aspects of racing don't intimidate Ava either. She works closely with her father on kart setup, particularly focusing on tire preparation and maintaining the required 5,500 RPM limit. These hands-on experiences provide practical application for her future studies in motorsports management.

If you're inspired by stories of young women breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated spaces, Ava's journey will resonate deeply. Follow her progress on Facebook under "Weil Racing" and witness firsthand how determination, family support, and raw talent combine to create a promising future in motorsports.

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What happens when your entire identity becomes wrapped up in someone else's spotlight? Eileen Noyes knows this journey intimately. From college strength coach to NFL wife overnight, she experienced firsthand how quickly women can lose themselves in the shadows of their relationships.

Eileen's story takes us behind the curtain of professional sports families, revealing the intense pressures, identity crises, and impossible standards that come with being "the wife of" someone famous. With raw honesty, she shares how her 16-year marriage to an NFL player ended when he joined an organization promoting harmful beliefs about women, forcing her to completely rebuild her life while raising eight children in the public eye.

Now remarried and part of a blended family with a staggering 15 children between them, Eileen has found unexpected connections to the motorsports world through her husband's motorcycle touring company. This surprising link bridges her past experiences with her current life, demonstrating how our journeys often come full circle in unexpected ways.

The conversation goes far beyond sports, touching on universal struggles that resonate with women from all walks of life. How do we maintain our sense of self while supporting others? What happens when we've neglected our own dreams for so long we can barely remember them? And most importantly, how do we take those first small steps back toward ourselves?

Eileen's message is both challenging and liberating: "We put oxygen masks on others while neglecting ourselves." She encourages women to make "little shifts" – carving out even 15 minutes daily for something that brings personal fulfillment, whether it's learning an instrument, taking walks, or pursuing creative outlets.

Ready to move from the sidelines back to the driver's seat of your own life? This conversation offers practical wisdom, heartfelt encouragement, and permission to reclaim the parts of yourself you may have forgotten. Your value extends far beyond your relationships to others – and it's never too late to rediscover who you truly are.

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What happens when you finally say "yes" to the thing you've been avoiding? For Caylee Kjos, one reluctant agreement to race "just once" completely transformed her life trajectory.

Caylee never imagined herself as a race car driver. In fact, she actively resisted her stepdad Quinn's persistent encouragement, dismissing racing as "boring" and claiming cars "just go in circles." Her only interest at the track was watching one particular driver compete. Everything changed during that final race of the 2017 season when she finally caved to pressure and climbed behind the wheel of a hobby stock car at Fountain City.

Despite knowing only the basics about racing flags (and hilariously getting black-flagged when her muffler fell off), something unexpected happened—she fell in love with the sport instantly. "I could not wait to get back out there," Caylee reveals, describing how that single experience ignited a passion she never knew existed.

Now racing both late models and eco mods at tracks around Winona, Caylee balances her motorsports career with work at OZ Lifting Products and studying radiology at Southeast Technical College. Her racing style reflects her personality—starting calm and becoming increasingly aggressive as races progress. Unlike many drivers, she prefers starting from the back, embracing the challenge of working forward through the field.

The heart of Caylee's story lies in the special relationship developed with her stepdad, who recognized her potential during family snowmobile trips long before she saw it herself. Now serving as her crew chief, they spend nearly every evening working on her cars together, creating memories and sharing a bond forged through their mutual passion for racing.

For women considering motorsports but hesitating due to fear, Caylee offers simple but powerful advice: "Face your fears and don't be scared... once you get on the track, it's not scary, you're just ready to go." Follow Caylee's continuing journey toward her first win on Facebook as she proves what can happen when you finally say yes to the unexpected opportunities that might just change everything.

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Passion burns brightest when tested by fire—both figurative and literal—as sprint car driver Angelique Bell reveals in this powerful conversation about perseverance in motorsports.

From the moment 12-year-old Angelique first sat in a quarter midget race car, she was hooked. Now at 31, this Sacramento-based IT professional has built a remarkable racing career piloting 410 sprint cars on dirt tracks throughout California, Oregon, and Washington in the NARC King of the West series. Her journey stands as testament to overcoming barriers that would have stopped many others.

As one of the few women—and even fewer people of color—in sprint car racing, Angelique faced discrimination from competitors, crews, and even other women in the racing community. "When I went from outlaw carts to sprint cars at 17, there were things about my race, things about my gender that were really difficult," she shares candidly. Yet these challenges only strengthened her resolve, ultimately leading to championship victories at Silver Dollar Speedway and Petaluma Speedway.

Perhaps most remarkably, Angelique returned to racing after surviving a terrifying fire at Southern Oregon Speedway that left her with internal burns affecting her voice. Her pink tail tank has become a beacon for young girls at the track, where she delights in discussing their dreams—much as fellow female racer Shauna Hogue once mentored her.

Racing with her father as crew chief and honoring her late cousin with car number 551, Angelique embodies the spirit of grassroots racing: competing with one car and one motor against better-funded teams, driven by pure love for the sport. "I can't explain the feeling of hitting the gas in a 410...it feels like an airplane taking off and everything's shaking. It's the best feeling in the world."

Follow Angelique Bell Racing on Facebook and Instagram to witness how determination, resilience and passion can triumph over adversity on dirt tracks across the West Coast.

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20 Ways Women in Motorsports can demonstrate value to sponsors on social media.

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What drives a 14-year-old girl to spend scorching summer days at racetracks instead of swimming pools? For Chloe Mazzagatti, racing isn't just a hobby—it's in her blood.

From her pink #87 Supra late model to her remarkable story of determination, Chloe represents the changing face of motorsports. Traveling from New Franklin, Ohio to compete in the prestigious Kalamazoo Clash, this young racer shares her journey from Bandolero cars to late models in just five years. Her accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary—track championships at multiple speedways, a dramatic seven-barrel roll crash she walked away from, and winning her second-ever late model race against seasoned competitors.

Behind Chloe's success lies a supportive racing family. Her father races late models (often competing against her), while her 10-year-old brother Michael races Bandoleros and Legend cars. This motorsports-centered lifestyle necessitated homeschooling, allowing Chloe to balance education with her demanding race schedule. Rather than maintaining friendships with school peers who don't understand her passion, she's built connections with fellow racers across North America, staying connected through racing simulators and social media.

What makes Chloe's story particularly compelling is her natural talent combined with unwavering dedication. Qualifying P1 in her first late model race and finishing P2 after starting last shows her exceptional skill behind the wheel. Now facing new challenges at the faster, high-momentum Kalamazoo Speedway, she demonstrates the importance of pushing boundaries and gaining diverse track experience.

Racing has given this teenager purpose, community, and direction. As she sets her sights on Pro Late Models, CRA events, and potentially ARCA and NASCAR opportunities, Chloe embodies the future of women in motorsports—breaking barriers one lap at a time, with her Hey Dudes shoes firmly on the pedals.

Subscribe to follow more inspiring stories of women shaping the motorsports landscape, from teenage phenoms like Chloe to the trailblazers paving their way.

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Ever wonder what it's like to hurtle down a drag strip at 780 mph before you can even drive legally on the street? Meet Mckenzee Hogan, a 15-year-old drag racing phenom who's been behind the wheel for over half her life.

Mckenzee's journey began at age seven when she sat in a dragster at Charlotte's 4Wide event. Within months, she was making test passes in her neighborhood driveway, much to her racing father's delight. Fast forward eight years, and this homeschooled tenth-grader is now piloting her fourth race car – a purple and green 2023 Mike Boss junior dragster bearing her birthday, 514, as her racing number.

The accomplishments she's already racked up would make veteran racers envious. At just 13, Mckenzee clinched a championship at her home track, Gallot Motorsports Park. She's claimed victories at major venues like Summit Motorsports Park in Ohio and competes regularly in the prestigious PDRA circuit, where she races against a field that's refreshingly balanced between boys and girls.

What makes Mckenzee's story special isn't just her speed on the track but the community she's found there. "It's one giant family," she explains, describing how competitors support each other through wins and losses alike. Before each pass, she shares a special moment with her parents – each saying their own prayer, a ritual that keeps her calm behind the wheel even when reaching speeds that would terrify most adults.

Despite throttles getting stuck and even blowing up a motor on track, Mckenzee remains undaunted. Her advice to younger girls interested in the sport? "Practice helps you get better, and you lose more than you win. But don't give up and keep trying." With plans to move into faster classes when she turns 16 and eventually transition to "big car" racing, Mckenzee Hogan is just getting started. Buckle up and follow her journey – this is one young racer whose story is accelerating fast.

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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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Kennedy Swan shares her journey from go-kart racing at age 5 to becoming the only female driver in her modified dirt track division as she builds her racing career while balancing college, work, and maintaining her self-discipline.

• Started in motorsports at age 5 when her father chose to invest his sponsor money in her go-kart instead of his own racing 
• Races dirt track modified cars as the only female among 300 competitors in her sanction
• Made history as the youngest driver and only female to win the Punky Manor championship in its 41-year history
• Does all her own mechanical work on her race car, handling everything from routine maintenance to major repairs
• Named a 2023 Hoosier Hero, selected as one of 12 racers from 2,000 participants across the United States
• Known for her signature French braids, which have become part of her racing identity
• Balances racing with college studies in business management and work to fund her racing career
• Matured faster than peers due to the discipline, dedication, and responsibilities required by motorsports
• Weathering a challenging season with mechanical issues but maintaining a positive outlook
• Passionate about inspiring more girls to enter motorsports and prove they can succeed in male-dominated fields

Follow Kennedy's racing journey on Facebook at 18S Racing, where you can watch live streams of her races, see her results, and find information about her racing merchandise.

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From sleeping peacefully under loudspeakers at dirt tracks as a baby to witnessing Richard Petty's historic 200th victory with President Reagan in attendance, Deb Williams has lived and breathed motorsports her entire life. Now in her fourth decade as a motorsports journalist, Williams takes us on a captivating journey from her humble beginnings in a North Carolina mill town to becoming the first female to cover NASCAR for an international wire service.

The passion that drove a 13-year-old girl to declare she would become a motorsports writer after spotting statistical errors in her local newspaper's racing coverage has never diminished. Williams shares colorful anecdotes from an era when racing coverage was built on personal relationships – times when journalists, drivers, and team members would gather at local restaurants after races, forging bonds that transcended professional obligations. Her stories of interviewing legends like Richard Petty (first as a starstruck fan, later as a professional) and dining with Mario Andretti and the Italian ambassador offer a glimpse into racing's rich human tapestry.

As president of the National Motorsports Press Association and a contributing editor for AutoWeek.com, Williams continues to shape racing journalism while teaching the next generation at Appalachian State University. Her perspective on how the sport's coverage has evolved – from the days when "everybody knew somebody on every race team" to today's more structured media environment – highlights what's been gained and lost as racing has grown into a national phenomenon.

Williams' story isn't just about motorsports; it's about perseverance, breaking barriers, and the power of community. In a world increasingly dominated by digital interactions, her emphasis on human connection and the racing family where "you know who's got your back" resonates more powerfully than ever. Whether you're a die-hard racing fan or simply appreciate stories of passion pursued against all odds, Williams' journey reminds us that behind every headline are the people who make the sport what it is.

Join the conversation about how motorsports journalism has evolved by sharing your thoughts on what we've gained – and perhaps lost – in racing's transformation over these past four decades.

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