Shantel Kalika, driver of the No. 43 CO-OP Lake Country / McMath Auction inc is set to make her 17th start in the NASCAR Canada series, with new sponsors this season.
We caught up with her to learn about her racing career, and what it’s like being a female NASCAR driver in Saskatchewan.
When did you start racing?
I started racing when I was 20, and I am 34 now, which is considered late. However I wasn’t unknown to racing, I grew up in racing my whole life thanks to my family.
Is there anyone you look up to in racing?
My dad is definitely the person I look up to the most. I watched him work tirelessly for years, juggling a job on the side, just to make ends meet and get a car to the racetrack. He put in countless late nights and early mornings, always pushing to find sponsorship. He’s my hero for sure.”
What is your bucket list track to race at?
I got to knock a bucket list track off my list when I raced and Jukasa. That was pretty awesome, it was a fantastic and amazing facility. As a dreamer, I’d love to be able to say that I could race in Daytona or Talladega. But I guess more realistic events for me would be the Montana 200 and the Penticton 300. If I’m thinking of the tracks in the NASCAR series, I probably would say New Hampshire, that’s a pretty cool track and New Smyrna too.
Can you share what is special about your home race?
This year is even bigger for me. We’ve owned a car for the NASCAR series since 2018, but in 2023, we sold it. So, getting back to the race this year was crucial. After selling the car, rumors flew around: “Oh, she’s pregnant,” “Oh, she’s never gonna race again,” “Oh, we’re never gonna see her.” It meant a lot to me to gather the funds for a rental program. We wouldn’t have managed it without D.J. Kennington’s partnership, so a huge thank you to him.
Saskatoon has one of the most amazing volunteer-run facilities. The grounds are immaculate, and it’s my home track. I’ve been racing there for 14 years, so standing in front of the hometown crowd, hearing their cheers, and having my family there means the world to me. The central location also brings out a lot of sponsors, adding to the significance of the hometown support.
What is unique about the racing community in Saskatoon?
Though my home track is in Saskatoon, I live in Prince Albert, about an hour and a half away. Moving into the late model class was daunting—it’s a fast, high-caliber racing class. I wondered if I could keep up. But the camaraderie is incredible; everyone is willing to lend a hand, share parts, and discuss setups. While we compete fiercely, we also share ideas, laugh, and grab a beer afterward.
Our rule package is crafted by the competitors, with multiple meetings throughout the year to improve the program for both competitors and fans. This collaborative effort requires strong organization to pull off successfully.
What are some of your pre-race rituals?
I don’t have many specific rituals, but I always put on my shoes the same way. I have certain Nike white socks, and I always put my left shoe on first, then the right, and tie the left shoe first. It’s not about superstition; it’s just my routine.
Do you have a pre-race playlist?
I don’t usually have a pump-up playlist. However, for my last race, I played “Miles On It” by Kane Brown. I guess that counts as a pump-up song.
Anything else you would like to share?
I’ve been racing for 14 years and recently became the CEO of Cornerstone Insurance. Balancing my racing career with my increasingly busy day job is a huge accomplishment. I’m proud of my achievements in both areas, especially as a woman in male-dominated industries. It shows how stepping out of my comfort zone and becoming competitive in racing has translated into my professional life.
This year in the NASCAR series, we have new sponsors, including Lake Country Co-Op as the main sponsor, along with McMath Controls & Automation Inc. and LB Signs. We have new colors—Lake Country Co-Op red, white, and black. Original 16 and Oz Creative also support us. A special thanks to D.J. Kennington for his outstanding support.