In this episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell sits down trackside at the Kalamazoo Clash with 14-year-old late model racer Chloe Mazzagotti from New Franklin, Ohio. Racing runs deep in her family — her dad races late models, her little brother Michael competes in Bandoleros and…
In this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell chats with 15-year-old junior dragster racer McKenzee Hogan from North Carolina. McKenzee shares how she was inspired to start racing after sitting in a friend’s dragster at the Charlotte Four-Wide Nationals, and how her dad—himself a former drag…
In this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell sits down with Delaney Dunn, a 26-year-old racer from Otis, Maine. Delaney has spent over a decade behind the wheel, starting at age 15, and currently competes in the Ladies Acceleration Tour (LAT) where she was crowned the…
Gray Leadbetter, one of the rising stars in off-road racing, joins Melinda Russell on the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast. Gray shares her journey from riding a four-wheeler at just two years old to becoming a Pro-Lite truck racer in the Champ Off-Road series. She talks about growing up in North…
In this rich and reflective conversation, Deb Williams shares her remarkable 40+ year journey as one of the first female motorsports journalists in NASCAR. From growing up in a North Carolina mill town to covering Richard Petty's 200th win and interviewing legends like Mario Andretti and Burt Reynolds, Deb's stories…
In this rich and reflective conversation, Deb Williams shares her remarkable 40+ year journey as one of the first female motorsports journalists in NASCAR. From growing up in a North Carolina mill town to covering Richard Petty's 200th win and interviewing legends like Mario Andretti and Burt Reynolds, Deb's stories…
At just 18 years old, Kennedy Swan has already raced her way into the record books—literally. The Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin native is a Punky Manor Champion, WISSOTA Modified Rookie of the Year, and one of only twelve 2025 Hoosier Heroes nationwide. She's also the only female driver in the WISSOTA…
In this episode, we meet Dominique Champlin, a 17-year-old dirt late model driver from Stanton, Michigan. Racing is in her blood—passed down through generations—and she’s already racked up three championships by the time most teens are just getting their driver’s license. Dominique opens up about her racing journey that started…
In this inspiring episode of the Women's Motorsports Network podcast, host Melinda Russell sits down with trailblazing Colombian driver Tatiana Calderón. Tatiana shares how a trip to a rental kart track with her sister sparked a lifelong love of racing. From humble beginnings in Colombia to competing in prestigious series…
In this heartfelt episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell welcomes Gina Kolevar — a 51-year-old registered nurse, grandmother, and front-wheel-drive racer at Michigan’s historic Whittemore Speedway. Gina shares her inspiring journey from growing up at the track with her late father to finally stepping behind the…
In this adrenaline-charged episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, we meet Ashley Winslett, a top alcohol flat-bottom drag boat racer blazing trails from Texas to Oregon and beyond. Ashley shares her fascinating journey from growing up at the races to earning her license and winning championships in one of…
In this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell sits down with 9-year-old Presley Hall, a passionate dirt track racer from Deloge, Missouri. Presley shares how she got started in racing after watching Kyle Larson and attending events at Pevely, and how her dad even sold his…
In this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell chats with Michigan-based racer Caitlyn Bernard, a fourth-generation female driver at Whittemore Speedway. Caitlyn shares how growing up on a farm and riding four-wheelers led her to motocross and eventually to stock car racing. She races a 2003…
On this episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell sits down with the energetic and inspiring Kate Turner, a 21-year-old aspiring race car driver from Leicestershire, England. Kate shares her unique journey into racing—a dream that began at age 18 after falling in love with Formula 1…
In this heartfelt episode, Women’s Motorsports Network host Melinda Russell welcomes longtime friend Lori Cutter, who shares her inspiring journey from pit crew and media roles to becoming a chaplain with Racers for Christ (RFC). Lori explains what racing chaplains really do beyond opening prayers — from post-crash care and…
At just 15 years old, Ella Wu-Heilman already has more than a decade of racing experience. Hailing from Washington State, she’s turning heads in the Supermoto world and recently transitioned to racing a Kawasaki Ninja 400 in the WIMRA series. In our recent podcast interview, Ella talked about starting young,…
In this episode, host Melinda Russell sits down with upstate New York drag racer Karyl Bell, a multi-talented competitor with deep racing roots at Lebanon Valley Dragway. Karyl shares how her passion for drag racing started before she could walk, growing up in a family immersed in motorsports. From Junior…
In this episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network podcast, Melinda Russell sits down with longtime racer Lena Chin, a Chicago-based driver who competes in the Gridlife Touring Cup (GLTC) with her Honda S2000. Lena shares her 17-year racing journey—from falling in love with motorsports as a child at the 12…
In this episode, host Melinda Russell interviews Nancy Matter—an accomplished music industry professional turned trailblazing drag racer. Nancy shares how her early exposure to NHRA racing in California and her time working for Wally Parks laid the foundation for a lifelong passion. After building a successful music career with 70+…
In this inspiring episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell chats with 18-year-old Charlotte Traynor from Phoenix, Arizona. A former go-kart racer turned Mazda MX-5 Cup driver, Charlotte shares how her aviation-rooted family supported her unusual path into motorsports. With no racing lineage but plenty of grit,…
In this inspiring episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell chats with 11-year-old Beylea Kronseder, a bright and passionate quarter midget racer from Jackson, New Jersey. With a family history rooted in drag racing and support from a large network of sponsors, Beylea shares how her motorsports…
In this episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell welcomes former professional figure skater turned drag racing champion Dina Parise. Dina shares her unique journey from dazzling audiences on ice with the Ice Capades to dominating the Pro Mod drag racing scene, earning the title of 2015…
Kelly Anderson shares her extraordinary journey from a 51-year-old grandmother to a wheelie-popping drag racer with a mission to help foster children through motorsports. Her passion for racing ignited when she scribbled "I want to drag race" on a napkin at a coaching event, leading to her first race in…
July 30- Jesse Sr and Jesse Jr VanAvery will share how they got started in motorsports, the impact of losing a brother and uncle, Adam, and the memorial race at Galesburg Speedway on Aug 2.