Fast Gender                                                                Story and photos by Dwight Drum
©2004-7 Dwight Drum                                                                Web work by Gary Larsen

Erin Crocker, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series & No. 98 Cherrios Dodge
Melanie Troxel, NHRA POWERade Top Fuel Dragster
Michelle Theriault , NASCAR Busch East, ARCA, No. 37 Glock Chevrolet
Gabi DiCarlo, Great Clips Chevrolet

QUOTES

"When you are fully focused; you're 100 percent concentrating on the track, on the race car, on what you're feeling. That's when you are at your best."
Erin Crocker

"I consider myself an adrenaline junky. If you're that type of person, and you enjoy this, then the only real difference is the persistence and the drive to make it happen."
Melanie Troxel

"It's very exhilarating when there are about 30 cars on your tail and you've got to go into the turn and hope you come out."
Michelle Theriault

"They have faith in their equipment and faith in their crew."
Gabi DiCarlo

Some might argue that the fast gender in motorsports is male not female and given the past and the present that position stands. The reason for the Fast Gender title here is about going forward. The emphasis on diversity in NASCAR and NHRA is common policy and although the NHRA has had some history with females in drag racing Fast Gender is really about change in the future.

It's not easy to rise above sportsman ranks or indeed, sportswoman ranks to top levels NEXTEL Cup and POWERade Series. Thousands race every weekend throughout the USA, but only a few hundred take local thrills to professional and national status.

Engines don't know gender. Tires don't prefer guys. It's just been the nature of sports and racing throughout history that male psyche, inherent aggression and competitive spirit has dominated all fields. Males have traditionally monopolized contact sports and ever since the second motor was built they assumed the role of driver.

The all-male motorsports world is changing but not with swift feminine waves. Females that dare to race have unusual competitive personalities and as their numbers grow it's only a matter of time before a car that doesn't know gender with a female behind the wheel will find a big-time winner's circle.

We bring you four females with the smarts, grit and guts to race and win.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Interviewer: Dwight Drum

Can you compare the challenges you have now to challenges you've had in the past getting here?

"Yeah, along the way you have a lot of different challenges. At some point the challenge is to find money and sponsorship, at other times it is to learn a track or the work on me. Learning the driving and the skill, like I said is something you can always learn. But there's definitely challenges, there are challenges being a women in this sport. There are challenges competing at the level of NASCAR. Life is full of challenges, especially when you're trying to make it to the top level of the sport."     MORE

What would you explain about driving Top Fuel Dragster to a person that is not yet an NHRA fan?

"The biggest thing I tell people who have never been to an NHRA drag race is that you have to come and see it. You can watch it on TV and say that's impressive going 330 mph. When you come and see what we're doing, you will feel it. You will feel your internal organs vibrate when these cars leave the starting line. You see it. You feel it. You smell it. It's a complete sensory sport. You will have to come out to a racetrack and see that to understand what it is. I personally think this is the original extreme sport. For me it's a big adrenaline rush and I consider myself an adrenaline junkie so I get my adrenaline rush right here."     MORE

You're 19, what's your advice to young people racing in this series?

"I definitely think it's good to start at a young age, because obviously you retain a lot more if you're younger. Repetition is what makes a driver better. I think there is a point when you are too young when you just need more experience to get comfortable. Some of these kids are just young and don't understand. I was fortunate I was always the girl; I just shut up before the guys. Some of these guys are really young and they have a chance to get hurt. I think it's a fine line, but I think it's really good to start at a young age and keep moving up."     MORE

Focus is important. Is there a secret to focusing?

"You know I think all drivers have their own little rituals on how they focus like sitting in qualifying. I just try and picture myself hanging on and try to picture the track when I'm in back waiting. That's how I focus. I think it's pretty common for every driver."    MORE