HORSEPOWER & HEELS

You may remember a few months ago (where the heck is time going lately!) that I had a chance to sit down with NHRA Nitro Funny Car driver Ashley Force-Hood for some gal chat to kick off Season 2 of Horsepower & Heels TV...

Its been a hectic few months, but the folks at PNN just finalized the episode. Though I wish we could have included all 20 minutes of great insight from Ashley on a wide variety of topics, PNN and I chose to give some insight to viewers from Ashley into the very unique side of being a woman at the races.

Hope you enjoy!

WATCH SEASON 2, EPISODE 1 of HORSEPOWER & HEELS TV!

Labels: At the Races, videos, women in racing

Its been over a week since I got back from a great trip to the 40th Annual NHRA Gator Nationals, and I'm just catching up enough to sit down for an update.

What a great trip! The Gator Nationals have become a semi-traditional trip for me, being the first east coast race of the season, and my first chance to get away and "smell the nitro" for the year.

As usual, the trip kicks off at the Gainesville Ale House on Thursday night, with a chance to catch up to many of my racing friends and a few personal friends from home that come up for the weekend from Orlando.

But the highlight of this year's trip was my opportunity on Friday morning to visit with Ashley Force courtesey of JFR PR pro Elon Werner. I met Elon through the new @JFR_Racing twitter campaign, and he invited me out to chat with Ashley in the pits. The JFR Twitter accounts allows fans to follow the instant team updates throughout the weekend to get a "behind the scenes" feel from the races in real-time.

(Check out my growing list of Drag Racing Twitter Accounts for other team updates)

Right now, Ashley is living the dream of a lot of us women racers in the PRO leagues of drag racing, being one of the few women competing this year in the NHRA. The advancement of women in racing is a passion of mine, so I was very eager to sit down with the top gal in our sport for some insight into what its like out there with the Big Boys. Ashley is in her third year as a professional Nitro Funny Car racer with her father's premiere funny car team. She's had incredible success as a racer, and is an inspiration to many.

Armed with my Horsepower & Heels TV Cam, I spent about 20 minutes with Ashley in her driver's lounge chatting about what its been like for her as a woman out on the circuit and how she's progressed through the ranks to reach professional status. PNN and I are now sorting through the editing, and we'll be kicking off Season 2 of Horsepower & Heels TV with this insightful look at the leading lady in NHRA Nitro Funny Car.

Stay tuned for more coming soon!!!

Labels: At the Races, On the Road, women in racing

One of the biggest things I've missed is my signature Black & Pink racecar paint jobs. Which is why I'm really excited that the other Erica racing is not only driving a Mustang this year too, but has gone with a Black/Pink color scheme for her DragStar Pro Stock ride.

Labels: women in racing

Labels: In the Shop, women in racing

*Shhhh!*

Labels: women in racing

Labels: In the Shop, women in racing

Labels: women in racing

Here's where we're at on the playground....

A) A few weeks ago, I get a call from TV Land.

B) They want me to submit an audition tape for a reality TV show pitch involving the Stevens Family team and Top Fuel Racing as a Family Owned Business.

C) But, despite how excited they were about us, they couldn't proceed because of uncertainty in sponsorship.

So, as per usual, I ride the rollercoaster of emotion: High at thinking this might be my "Big Break", and then the low of finding out not this time again. I'm used to it. Happens a whole lot more than you could imagine, actually. Still, I keep trying for the next one....

Well, I got a phone call from Dave Stevens yesterday. Katie from TVLand called him back to tell him that we're back in consideration for the show!

Labels: press, women in racing

Are you part of a family business? Pink Sneakers Productions and TV Land are currently casting for a new reality series that will document the life of one dynamic, over-the-top, outgoing family. If you clock in and out of a unique, exciting and drama-filled family business, we want to talk to you. If you’ve ever said, “This family should be on a reality show,” this is your chance to make it happen!


We are casting immediately, so please email us at familybusiness@pinksneakers.net. Please be sure to include your name, contact information, a quick autobiography and at least three photos by Sept. 1, 2008.

Labels: press, women in racing

Ashley Force is debuting a pink rendition of her Castrol sponsored Mustang Nitro Funny car at "The Big GO" in Indy this weekend.

Labels: women in racing

Labels: women in racing

Found this on Ashley Force's Myspace. I think its great!

'Twas the Week Before Indy…..
'Twas the week before Indy and all through the town
I ran last minute errands in my Mustang all around
To the dry cleaners to pick up my dirty fire suit
The hair salon to touch up and condition my roots
Packing my luggage…I'd be gone for 12 days!
The piles of clothes in my closet had become quite a maze!
So hopeful I was for this upcoming race
To beat up on the boys and try to take first place
For now the big challenge was not to win rounds
But to pack up my luggage in less than 50 pounds
Off to LAX airport we hoped not to be late
We checked in, went to security, then up to our gate
Race credentials and schedules filled up my bags
But of course I had room to grab a couple gossip mags!
Now I sit on this plane thinking of my upcoming week
The packed schedule of race teams is not for the meek!
But I made sure to relax and get my rest
To be ready for our upcoming race and feel my best
Indy brings many memories, some high some low
Now it's time again, so here we go!
First we stop by Chicago to visit family
Then Florida to film a show about Sanyo TV's
Tuesday we head up to Indy on an evening flight
In time for dinner at Andy's for our weekly team night
Wednesday a press conference in downtown Indianapolis
We'll talk about the Indy race that no fan will want to miss!
Some radio, newspaper and magazine interviews
I'll talk about racing dad, and how I hope not to lose!
And also how motivated Team Force is to win
Then it's back to our Indy shop to film with ESPN
Wednesday winds to an end but the fun just began
We'll head to the bowling alley with our crews and their fam
I'm not too good at bowling unless it's on Wii
If you're in the lane next to me you might want to flee!
Early the next morning after a quick Starbucks run
It'll be off to Ford to meet fans and have a little fun
A few more interviews and a trip to Wal-mart
Things for my trailer and the race, fill up my cart
We'll head to our home (the Comfort Inn Suites)
To clean up and change…and rest our feet!
Then back to the city for a Mac Tools event
After that it's to bed…what a week! I'm spent!
As I climb in to bed I don't have to count sheep
While brushing my teeth I'd twice fallen asleep!
What a crazy but fun busy week this has been
And tomorrow is when the race will actually begin!
I can't wait to get to the track with my team
Meet with sponsors and fans and drive that Funny Car machine
We hope to race and get qualified so that we can play
On the day we all look forward to racing on…Race Day!
National Anthem, Prayer and then the cars start
Engines roaring to life is for sure the best part!
Many memories and great times at this historic place
And now I'm so excited to be a part of the big Indy Race!

Labels: women in racing

Labels: women in racing

Okay, this is about as RANDOM as random gets on my blog posts....

Last night, I had a dream that I was driving a nitro-burning flopper. No biggie, I have that dream pretty often. But this wasn't just ANY dream. In my dream, I had a sudden realization. In a blaze of nitro-glory (ie: I was on fire through the lights), I realized something might not work for me in the future:

My long hair.

As long as I can remember, I've always had long hair. (minus that brief cut in 1st grade that wasn't my idea, and left me emotionally scarred for life.... think mini-Fullet. LOL) Its always been at least shoulder length, but typically much longer.

Right now, its probably the longest its been in my life, almost 3/4 way down my back. I figure I might as well let it grow while I can still "get away" with pulling that look off.

But last night, my subconscious was telling me that I needed to look at something. Mainly, the fact that mile-long hair poking out of my helmet wasn't going to work so well in a nitro flopper and would be promptly incincerated in my first nitro-blaze. Melanie, Ashley, Hillary.... all have relatively moderate lengthed hair. How would I tuck in 3 feet of the stuff under a helmet safely?

Oh the trauma! Long hair has been my staple, my identity, my whole LIFE! I've been jokingly nicknamed as the Pantene Girl. (wouldn't they be a great sponsor?!? hint, hint!) Its one of my better features, I think.

The thought of cutting it off has Sampson effects on me! Will I lose my edge? My strength? Will I be rendered a disheveled wreck? WILL I BE PLAGUED WITH BAD HAIR DAYS?

Just another thing us women racers get to worry about over our male counterparts. LOL.

(Still waiting on an anatomically correct fire suit, and 300mph chip-proof nail polish.)

Labels: women in racing

Danica Patrick started it off getting her first win for IRL in Japan. She became the first woman to do so for the league.

Then, Ashley Force grabs her first win in NHRA Funny Car at the Southern Nationals in Atlanta. Ashley became the first woman to ever win in NHRA Nitro Funny Car, making history in a win over her father.

She was followed close behind by Melanie Troxel also in Funny Car. Melanie became the first woman to win both in the Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, in only her 8th start in the floppers.

And now Hillary Will, the lone Top Fuel lady for 2008 grabs her first win in T/F Dragster!

Congratulations ladies and thanks for representing us women and what we are capable of in Motorsports!

Read some of the buzz: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nhra/2008-06-04-women-drag-racing_N.htm

Labels: women in racing

Labels: At the Races, On the Road, Special Causes, women in racing

Its Mother's Day, and I thought I'd pay tribute to a different kind of mother.... the Mother of Drag Racing.

Shirley Muldowney is undeniably the Mother of Drag Racing. She came to find drag racing in its infancy, back in the 60's, when women were not expected or ALLOWED to be involved in such a sport. She fought for acceptance when most would not allow her in their midst, gaining her NHRA competition license in 1965 through much trouble and discouragement. No only would she show that a woman could drive a car faster than stock, but she worked up the ladder all the way to the pinnacle class of the sport, Top Fuel, where she competed for over 30 years.

Shirley's hard fought battles opened the doors for all of us women in drag racing and in all motorsports. She was the first woman to win a major autosport in 1976 at the NHRA Spring Nationals, and went on to win 3 World Championships in her Top Fuel career.

Though the gender barrier can still sometimes exist today, Shirley pioneered the sport for all women and made it easier to be accepted in a man's world. Each of us women involved in racing today owes a lot to the woman who fought the fight for us early on, and made our dreams possible.

This mother's day goes out to our own Mother of Drag Racing, Shirley Muldowney!

Labels: women in racing

But then life happened, and a series of heartbreaking events that have put delay after delay, and road block after road block in my way, sidelining me for 2 years now. I try to stay focused and upbeat, but with time comes frustration and depression of not racing, and worse, not being able to keep my commitments to Brisk and Harland Sharp of a great season.

I won't give up.... I'm still working very hard and inching closer to getting the Horsepower & Heels car back out on track. I'm lacking just a few things, but it seems like time and labor is hard to come by now-a-days.... things that I am not able to do on my own, out of my control. That's the most difficult part of the whole deal... being helpless and forced to just sit and wait.

Motorsports marketing is one of the greatest forms of marketing available. I know that I will be able to make good on getting exposure for my great sponsors and telling their stories. I just hope that the damage that this delay has caused will not be permanent. As they say... this too shall pass. The lows of the racing rollercoaster.

Labels: women in racing

Labels: women in racing

Labels: women in racing

Labels: women in racing

Labels: women in racing

The AOL Hottest Athlete is Officially OFF the Market .

My favorite gal driver and my favorite team's crew guy are engaged. AOL made her name household way beyond drag racing, so I don't blame Danimal for hurrying up and getting it official. Congrats Ashley Force & Danny Hood. The article reads "former crewmember", which makes me sad. Not that I didn't think it was coming... Papa Force puts all his family to work. And his hat choice in this picture pretty much confirms that.

Nice rock, too! Danimal has some good taste. I wish them both the best.

Melanie Troxel driving Mike Ashley's Funny Car for '08

Announced earlier this season, Melanie will be driving for Mike Ashley's funny car team in 2008. This means Melanie will be facing her husband, Tommy Johnson Jr., all year in the funny car battle. Johnson recently lost his Skoal ride, which would have been pretty brutal that he'd sit while wifey drove, but luckily they announced he'd be taking over for Kenny Bernstein in the Monster Funny Car. Wonder if that first Wife-Husband funny car match up will get the same media firestorm as the Daddy-Daughter match up earlier this year? That might make homelife a little more interesting when that match up comes.

Peggy Llewellyn out of a ride in 2008

You come in as an underdog, have a great season, and still get the carpet pulled. Peggy did great in her first full NHRA season: won Dallas, made the countdown, and finished in the top 4 in her rookie year. But, apparently that's not enough. Seems like this came out of left field, since her final Pomona recap had her looking forward to her next season in Gainesville with Rush. No word yet on if Peggy has anything in the works to get her back out on the track. I'm keeping my Fingers crossed that she finds another ride soon.

....And so is Angelle Sampey

A multi-championship rider and staple of the class is also looking for a ride for 2008? Seems that there is quite the shake-up in NHRA drag racing. Angelle might not have had the best season, but I don't think many suspected that it would be her last Army ride. Hard to believe that Schumacher isn't looking for another sponsor to replace the US Army and keep her in the stable.

Angelle's myspace page says she's working hard to find another ride. Rumors are she'll be back with an old partner. Wonder what that means???

Still No Luck for Erica Enders

Erica Enders has taken the last half of 2007 off in pursuit of a marketing partner. It seems they still have not announced any plans, so 2008 is still up in the air for them as well. Erica had a great start to her career in Pro Stock with Cagnazzi Racing, met lukewarm performances with Schumacher Racing, and then bravely put together her own program for 2007. They campaigned the first part of the year trying to get their footing, but stopped mid-year to focus on finding a marketing partner. As her Pro Stock operation sits cold, I wonder how far they'll go with their current inhouse operation before trying other measures?

Possible New Ladies???

Jessie Harris, former driver of the Al Hanna Queen of Hearts Jet Dragster, made some test passes in Clay Millican's top fuel ride earlier this year. Will Evan Knoll put her in a Top Fuel car for Torco? Hanna had put out a search for a new "Queen" (I looked into it myself not long before I found my deal), so it is confirmed that Jessie has vacated that seat. Her aspirations are to pilot a top fueler, and Jessie has retained a marketing firm to help her accomplish this. Could they have found that deal with Torco?

Leah Pruett test drove the MTS Dodge during the Indy test session as an audition for Gary Scelzi. Scelzi is now not retiring, but could Don Schumacher be putting her elsewhere in his stable? Don interviewed many drivers for that position, myself included, but only Leah got to make the audition pass. Her website hasn't been updated, and her show on OctaneTV is gone. What became of all the media frenzy? Will she have a place on DSR's team?

Its not even 2008 yet, and there has been much going on with the ladies of NHRA. What do you think this means for women involved in motorsports?

Labels: women in racing

Labels: women in racing

• Pressure of her last name, and the instant expectations of success


• Pressure from her father, who having so many years of championship experience elevates expectations and is more demanding than most


• Pressure from the constant media barrage, in which she has a camera shoved in her face almost all weekend long and must've repeated herself in 1000's of interviews


• Pressure from the masses who are even more critical of women drivers than their male counterparts and often scruitinize their every move (fail or succeed)

Then factor in the normal driving stressors: putting on a good show for your fans & sponsors, performing for your team- your reaction time inside the car, and keeping that car in control and in the groove. Ashley definitely has her hands full this season, and if this first event is any indicator, with some getting-used-to time under her belt, she'll be a seasoned veteran in no-time.

On another note, although I 10,000% support Ashley and any other women drivers out there, I did think the media went a little too far with the "Driving Force II" coverage of Pomona. The interviews were stale... and although I do enjoy seeing Ashley & John's story, they continued to ask them the same questions, and got the same answers every time. Maybe after a few races, the "newness" will wear off a little... or reporters will add some variety to their interviews. I'm sure Ashley & John felt like broken records by the end of the weekend.

The Forces.... The 'new' Family Circus!

Labels: women in racing

This past weekend, I was refreshingly reminded of what the first time at the drag races feels like. My best friend since elementary school, Heather Sinks, made the trip down to Richmond FFW from her home in D.C. to spend the weekend at the races with me. Having never been to a drag race before, Heather had no clue what to expect. While most of us experience our first race from the safety of the stands, her first experience placed her in the thick of things, along side the crew of a Pro 5.0 entry. After all my years of involvement in racing with Fun Ford Weekend, I tend to take for granted how foreign it all seemed in the beginning. Which is why Heather's first experience brought me back to the early days and the rosy colored glasses. Here are some of the best anecdotes from Heather's weekend:

Labels: women in racing

Jo & I became fast friends after the ESX Maximum Velocity Female Driver Search. She and I were roommates for the contest, and Jo is just a super cool chick! I'm sad she's moved out to Hollywood and away from Hotlanta, but she's living her rally dreams on the west coast. ROCK ON, JO!!!

Labels: women in racing

Last weekend, after being fired up over Danica's success in motorsports, I felt compelled to write a letter to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It published in Saturday's paper, and although it left out a few things that I had written, it still drives home the point about women in motorsports. I think its important that women continue to speak out and gain some attention in front of corporate america in hopes of getting some consideration for those male dominated sponsorships it takes to run at the top. -----------------------------------------------

Saturday, June 4th, 2005
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saturday Talk Section Women in motor sports need sponsorships "It was refreshing to see Danica Patrick's success ("Heels on wheels," Page One, May 28). However, it is easy to forget that several women before her have also competed in the Indianapolis 500. The difference between Patrick and the ladies before her is that her talent is complemented by a fully funded top-caliber team. I hope Patrick's success will encourage other companies to support young ladies in motor sports."

ERICA ORTIZ, Columbus

Labels: press, women in racing

Labels: women in racing