PRI 2024 Women in Racing

Jo Ferrell

As I explored the exhibits and seminars at this year’s Performance Racing Industry convention in Indianapolis, I had an opportunity to meet and talk with women who participate in various aspects of professional racing. I learned that women are involved in many areas of the industry. This includes drivers, business owners, technicians, engineers, social influencers, PRI staff and the list goes on.

The changes that have been brought about for women in racing are nothing less than monumental. I was lucky to run into Lyn St. James in the Media room. She holds 21 international and national closed circuit speed records over a 20-year period. Her record includes a speed of 225.722 mph during qualifying for the 1995 Indy 500. For more information on this amazing racer, you can read about her at http://www.lynstjames.com.

I had a great conversation with a woman who is the “gate keeper” of the media room. She verifies the press credentials of people who want to enter this special area and has attended many races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the years. She told me about her having been in the stands when Lyn St. James was actively racing there. Some were horror stories about the lack of accommodations for women racers, such as run-down rest rooms with no doors to the stalls and no separate changing rooms. Male racers had suits and equipment designed so they could relieve themselves during a race without having to get out of the car. Female racers had no such suits nor devices.

Today’s PRI exhibits show that women in racing have access to everything they need from suits to helmets, shoes, gloves, you name it.

One item that was happily checked off my PRI wish list was meeting drag racer and TV personality Alex Taylor. I had seen her on TV during her stint as co-host on Motor Trends Hot Rod Garage where she showed off her mechanical abilities. You can check out any of her social media sites, like “Riding with Alex Taylor” on You Tube, http://www.alextaylorracing.com for merchandise, her Instagram site @alextaylorracing or on Facebook (Meta) Alex Taylor Racing where her message of “Be Happy. Go Fast. Stay Pretty” is front and center.

I even scored my very own autographed photo! And, as I told her at the time, I will be on the lookout for future events she will be participating in back in my home state of North Carolina.