The Rich History of Women in the NASCAR Pinty’s Series

The NASCAR Pinty’s Series has seen a number of women join its ranks throughout the years. From drivers to crew members and media personnel to the Series Director.

Here is a snapshot of some of the women who have made their mark in the series.

First Woman to Qualify for a Race

In 2008 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, 24-year-old Ashley Taws from Newmarket, Ontario, became the first woman to qualify for a Pinty’s Series event. Driving the No. 72 Barbie at Walmart Chevrolet, Taws finished 32nd after being forced to retire from the race early.

The series didn’t see another woman join the field until 2010 when Isabelle Tremblay burst onto the scene.

Highest Finishing Position in a Race

On June 26, 2011, at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Tremblay scored an eighth-place finish and set the bar to beat for women in the series.

Three years later at Barrie Speedway, Erica Thiering matched Tremblay’s finishing position.

First Full-Time Female Driver

While no woman has yet to complete a full season, Tremblay got close in 2011, racing 11 of the 12 events that year.

Highest Finish in the Points

In 2011, Tremblay finished 12th in the series standings, the highest of any female in the series.

Youngest Woman to Race 

On July 11, 2014, at Edmonton International Raceway, 19-year-old Shania LaForce from Athabasca, Alberta, became the youngest woman to race in the series.

Most Women in a Single Race

The 2010 NASCAR Pinty’s season saw four women racing part-time that year and August 29 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve marked another milestone. For the first time, three women had qualified for an event – Isabelle Tremblay, Caitlin Johnston and Maryeve Dufault.

In 2011 at Motoplex Speedway in Vernon, British Columbia, the record would be matched again by Tremblay, Shannon Harding and Sarah Cornett-Ching.

First Woman to Lead a Lap

11 years after the first woman qualified for a NASCAR Pinty’s race, Julia Landauer became the first to lead a lap in the series.

The 27-year-old from New York, NY, led a single lap at Jukasa Motor Speedway on June 2, 2019.

First Female Series Director

In February 2017, NASCAR announced Cherie Putnam would take over as the Series Director, becoming the first female leader and fourth in the position for the series and still holds it to this day. Before taking on the lead role, Putnam was an official in the series and has been involved in the sport for over 25 years.