From the Dirt Tracks to the Front Office: Gina Schild Knolls Shares Her Passion for Short Track Racing

The world of motorsports is built on passion, persistence, and the people willing to dedicate their lives to keeping the sport alive. Few understand that better than Gina Schild Knolls, a lifelong racing advocate whose journey has taken her from growing up in a Texas racing family to running racetracks and helping shape the future of grassroots motorsports.

During her appearance on the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, Gina opened up about her decades-long career in racing, the realities of running racetracks, the importance of short track racing, and why women in motorsports must continue pushing forward.

Born Into Racing

For Gina, racing wasn’t something she discovered later in life — it was woven into her family history from the very beginning.

Growing up in Texas, both of her grandfathers raced. One competed at Playland Park in Houston, while the other was a factory driver for Indian Motorcycle who raced flat track and Daytona events. Her father raced as well, including driving for legendary racer A. J. Foyt. Racing became the family lifestyle, and Gina spent countless weekends at the track watching cars being built, repaired, and raced.

Even though she grew up surrounded by racers, Gina eventually realized her own path in the sport would be different. Instead of driving, she found herself naturally drawn toward sponsorship, promotions, and helping racers grow their careers.

Learning the Business Side of Racing

After working professionally in sales, Gina began helping her brother pursue sponsorship opportunities in hopes of advancing into NASCAR Truck Series competition. What started as helping family quickly became a career.

She discovered that her deep understanding of racing culture gave her an advantage when talking to businesses about sponsorships. Rather than simply selling logos on race cars, Gina understood how to create meaningful relationships between racers and sponsors.

That experience eventually led her into racetrack promotion and operations — something she never originally planned to do.

Saving a Texas Racetrack

When Houston Motorsports Park faced an uncertain future, Gina stepped into a leadership role to help keep the facility alive. At the time, it was the last asphalt short track in Texas, and she knew what losing it would mean to racers across the state.

Running a racetrack came with enormous challenges, especially during the COVID era. Gina described the experience as “high-speed learning,” requiring constant problem-solving, teamwork, and determination. She worked alongside family members, friends, racers, and staff members to keep the track operating during one of the hardest periods in modern motorsports history.

She later helped operate Mobile International Speedway as well, helping revive another facility that had struggled during the pandemic.

The Heart of Short Track Racing

Throughout the interview, Gina repeatedly emphasized the unique spirit of short track racing.

Unlike many other sports, racing creates deep relationships among competitors. Drivers battle fiercely on the racetrack, but when someone breaks down or needs help, competitors are often the first people to jump in and lend a hand.

She believes racetracks are more than entertainment venues — they are community gathering places that give racers, families, and fans a place to belong.

“Race days fill my bank back up,” Gina shared, describing how seeing packed grandstands, happy racers, and excited kids reminds her why the hard work matters.

Bringing New Life to Hickory Motor Speedway

Today, Gina works at the legendary Hickory Motor Speedway, one of the most respected short tracks in the country.

Her role includes social media management, community outreach, sponsor relations, and helping reconnect the track with local fans. She also works closely with college students interested in motorsports careers, helping create internship opportunities and giving young people real-world experience inside the racing industry.

Gina believes successful tracks must constantly engage their communities and create memorable experiences for fans. She also stressed the importance of helping young racers and future industry professionals learn the business side of motorsports.

Advice for Young Racers Seeking Sponsors

One of the most powerful parts of the conversation centered around sponsorships.

According to Gina, one of the biggest mistakes racers make is focusing only on getting a logo on their car instead of building relationships.

She encouraged young racers to learn how to ask for sponsorships early in life because those skills can benefit them both in racing and beyond. Gina believes racers should communicate regularly with sponsors, invite them to races, provide updates, and understand what motivates each business partner.

Her advice for young drivers was simple but powerful:

• Don’t be afraid to ask
• Practice talking about yourself
• Learn how to communicate professionally
• Show gratitude
• Build relationships that last

A Voice for Women in Motorsports

As a woman who has spent decades working in racing, Gina also spoke honestly about the challenges women still face in the industry.

She explained that women often have to work harder to be taken seriously and must consistently prove their knowledge and abilities. However, Gina encouraged younger women not to back down.

“If you know something and understand it, communicate it,” she explained. “Don’t waste your time where nobody’s listening to you.”

Her advice reflected years of experience navigating a male-dominated industry while earning respect through persistence, professionalism, and results.

Her Dream: Strengthening NASCAR’s Short Track Program

Toward the end of the episode, Gina revealed her dream role: helping strengthen NASCAR’s short track racing program.

She believes grassroots racing is the foundation of the entire sport and feels NASCAR could do more to support local tracks, improve collaboration between facilities, and help create stronger pathways for racers to advance.

For Gina, short tracks are where future stars are born — and protecting those tracks is essential for the future of racing itself.

Keeping Racing Alive

Whether she’s helping revive racetracks, mentoring students, working with sponsors, or advocating for grassroots racing, Gina Shild Knolls continues to pour her heart into the sport she has loved her entire life.

Her story is a reminder that motorsports is powered not only by drivers, but also by the passionate people behind the scenes who fight every day to keep the engines running and the grandstands full.

And for Gina, that mission is far from over.