Alexis Sparby Gross: How A Father-Daughter Team Turned Weekend Wrenches Into Real Track Confidence
Send us a text The engines might cool at sunset, but the stories only get hotter. We sit down with Minnesota racer Alexa Gross for a candid ride through family-built race craft, moving up to Wasota Super Stocks, and the steady confidence that comes from small wins and patient passes. From a childhood spent at the track to a heat race victory that changed her mindset, Alexa shows how real progress often looks like late nights in the garage, film study after the lights go dark, and learning to ...
The engines might cool at sunset, but the stories only get hotter. We sit down with Minnesota racer Alexa Gross for a candid ride through family-built race craft, moving up to Wasota Super Stocks, and the steady confidence that comes from small wins and patient passes. From a childhood spent at the track to a heat race victory that changed her mindset, Alexa shows how real progress often looks like late nights in the garage, film study after the lights go dark, and learning to trust the feel of a faster car.
Alexa opens up about racing alongside her dad and husband, what it takes to prep a car as a tight-knit team, and why a supportive local scene—complete with a Women in Motorsports night and father-daughter spotlights—makes the sport feel welcoming. She keeps it practical and honest: starts are tough, Turn 1 is unforgiving, and budgets are real. Yet the joy is undeniable, whether it’s a third-place finish earned by smart patience, a lead during the Mighty Axe Nationals, or a two-week winter escape racing the Early Thaw in Casa Grande. She also shares how flying Cessna trainers sharpens her decision-making and calm, skills that transfer directly to dirt racing under pressure.
We dig into how Alexa balances graduate school in social work, racing Thursdays and Sundays, and staying grounded with fitness, family, and the rituals that keep her focused. She offers thoughtful advice for women curious about motorsports, plus smart tips on building a racing presence on Facebook and TikTok without losing your voice. If you love grassroots racing, father-daughter teams, and the art of turning laps into lessons, this conversation delivers heart, horsepower, and plenty of practical takeaways.
Enjoyed the story? Subscribe, share with a friend who loves dirt racing, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show.
FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/womensmotorsportsnetworkandpodcast
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/womensmotorsportsnetwork/
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindarussell/
TIKTOK: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melindarussell/
https://www.patreon.com/posts/womens-network-144773298
X: https://x.com/IWMANation
FACEBOOK Personal Page: https://www.facebook.com/melinda.ann.russell
00:02 - Welcome And Show Mission
01:02 - Meet Alexa Gross
02:13 - Racing Origins And First Laps
03:56 - Local Tracks And Women On The Grid
06:05 - Family, Marriage, And Garage Life
08:41 - Learning Super Stocks And Early Wins
12:18 - Balance, Fitness, And Daily Routines
14:27 - Track Culture And The Chicken Shack
15:51 - Inclusion And Women In Motorsports
17:46 - Starts, Strategy, And Studying Film
20:31 - Proud Moments And Confidence Builders
23:46 - Rituals, Favorites, And NASCAR Talk
25:26 - Five-Year Vision And Career Paths
27:06 - Social Media And Team Branding
28:47 - Winter Escape: Arizona Early Thaw