Alesi Gerthe, of New Breed Racing, joined fellow female racing veteran Lyn St. James for her foundations Women in the Winner’s Circle Awards Ceremony on Thursday, July 23, 2009. Gerthe and a select few accomplished female racers were recognized at the seventh annual ceremony held at the Plaza Village Pavilion at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. St. James emceed the event alongside ESPN/ABC reporter Jamie Little.
“It was an honor to be among such an elite group of women,” said Alesi. “To personally meet Ms. St. James and be around driver’s like Sarah Fisher and Melanie Troxel, being able to celebrate those who have helped pave the way for women like me to excel in a male-dominated sport such as drag racing, was awesome. Not to mention being able to meet other women racers from different forms of motorsports who are involved in racing today and realizing we make up the future of women in motorsports…it was truly a special day.”
During the ceremony, Project Podium partners awarded grants totaling $27,500 to distribute between six skilled drivers, including Gerthe. Grant applications were reviewed by a panel of motorsports professionals and then distributed on a matching-fund basis to qualified women drivers.
Founded by St. James in 1994, the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation holds true to its mission to advance women in motorsports and the annual ceremony celebrates the successes of women in the motorsports industry. NHRA has long been synonymous with providing opportunity for women so it was no surprise that it was well represented by NHRA President Tom Compton and Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Graham Light, and also O’Reilly Raceway Park’s Ron Anderson and Scott Smith. Hoosier Thunder Motorsports team owner’s Terry and Rhonda McMillen also attended to support Alesi during this momentous occasion.
“Drag racing has always been at the forefront in the motorsports industry when it comes to opportunity for women, just look at the success of Shirley Muldowney,” commented Alesi. “I know it is a long, narrow path leading to my dream of racing professionally in the top fuel category. I have no doubt that my affiliation with the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation and its programs will help in achieving my goals.”
