Episodes

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Send us a text In this heartfelt and revealing episode, Melinda Russell sits down with Dell Hamilton, a serial entrepreneur, former NASCAR team owner, and longtime supporter of women in racing. Dell shares how he used NASCAR not just for the thrill of the sport, but as a powerful tool to build lasting business relationships, honor the military, and support ethical and talented female drivers. From humble beginnings watching race traffic from his church parking lot in Charlotte, NC, Dell walks...

Send us a text Episode Summary: Meet 16-year-old Paiten Burnham, the fearless driver behind the purple quarter midgets lighting up the USAC NASCAR Youth Series. In this episode, Paiten shares how her mom’s racing legacy, her dad’s deployment, and her own fierce determination shaped her path in motorsports. From winning at Charlotte to mentoring younger drivers, Paiten opens up about racing as a girl in a male-dominated sport, what it’s like traveling to national races, and why family is at the h...

Send us a text In this powerful episode, Melinda Russell sits down with trailblazer Julie Giese, President of the NASCAR Chicago Street Race and a 25-year veteran of the motorsports industry. From her early days on a Wisconsin dairy farm to her leadership roles at Daytona, Phoenix, and now Chicago, Julie shares how she turned bold ideas into history-making events. She opens up about the massive effort it took to bring a NASCAR Cup Series race to downtown Chicago—from working with the city, navi...

Send us a text In this episode, host Melinda Russell welcomes Jacqueline Rumley, a lifelong motorsports enthusiast, educator, and industry professional, to the show. Jacqueline shares her journey from growing up immersed in dirt track racing in Ontario, Canada, to building a successful career in motorsports in North Carolina. Influenced by her parents' deep involvement in racing, Jacqueline developed a love for the sport at an early age, eventually choosing it over her initial interest in veteri...

Send us a text In this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell welcomes Hannah Doll, a motorsports management student at Belmont Abbey College who also works in social media and events for Fulton, Brewerton, and Weedsport Speedways in New York. Originally from Red Creek, New York, Hannah shares her journey from growing up in a racing family—where both her grandfather and father raced—to discovering her own passion for motorsports by racing "box cars" and open-wh...

Send us a text In this episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell talks with Dana Teague, General Manager of the upcoming High Performance Expo (HPX), set for June 3–5, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dana shares how her 30 years of trade show experience led her to the motorsports world and what makes HPX a standout event. The expo will feature two days of B2B programming and a third day open to enthusiasts, including educational sessions, product showcases, an ...

Send us a text In this inspiring episode, host Melinda Russell chats with Elisa Noelle, whose journey into motorsports didn’t follow the traditional path. From falling in love with a yellow Fox Body Mustang as a child to managing branding and major events for top-tier companies and shows like Street Outlaws and No Prep Kings, Elisa proves that passion, hustle, and professionalism can take you anywhere—even without a college degree or family ties to racing. 🔑 Key Topics Covered: Elisa’s early l...

Send us a text How NASCAR's First-Ever Street Race Transformed a City and Reimagined Fan Engagement In this inspiring episode, Melinda Russell welcomes NASCAR executive Julie Giese to share her remarkable journey in motorsports and her role in leading the groundbreaking Chicago Street Race. Julie reflects on her 25-year NASCAR career, which started on a Wisconsin dairy farm and led her to leadership roles at iconic tracks like Watkins Glen, Daytona, and Phoenix Raceway. Julie dives deep into th...

Send us a text In this inspiring episode, Melinda Russell chats with Brittany Bennett, a passionate 15-year-old racer from Augusta, Michigan. Brittany shares her journey into motorsports, fueled by her father Nate Bennett's racing legacy. From her initial challenges in finding the right race car due to her height to earning accolades such as Rookie of the Year and the Dare to be Different award, Brittany’s story is one of determination and growth. Discover how Brittany balances racing front-whe...

Send us a text In this episode, Melinda Russell sits down with Cierra Scott, a wife, mom, and fearless drag racer from Kentucky. What makes her story unique? She races a 2020 Ford Edge ST—yes, an SUV—on the drag strip. Cierra talks about her journey into motorsports, how her late grandfather inspired her, and how she balances racing with being a full-time working mom. From signing up for her first race behind her husband’s back to building a one-of-a-kind platform in the racing world, Cierra’s ...

Send us a text In this episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell chats with 9-year-old Claire DeBeaupre, a quarter midget racer from King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Claire shares her racing journey, love for speed, and what it’s like being the only girl in her school who races. Full of energy, humor, and heart, Claire talks about everything from her favorite food to flipping a car and calling it “just like a roller coaster.” From her pink helmet to her fearless att...

Send us a text In this episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell sits down with the incredible Michelle Lackey, the powerhouse behind Alaska Raceway Park—the only NASCAR and NHRA-sanctioned track in Alaska. Michelle shares her journey from growing up at the drag strip to becoming a seasoned racer, motorsports entrepreneur, and one-woman show running a track nestled in the breathtaking Alaskan wilderness. From snowmachines and Super Comp racing to building an entir...

Send us a text In this inspiring episode, Melinda Russell welcomes back Michele Della Penna — founder of the Della Penna Foundation — to talk about her powerful mission to expose young girls to the world of motorsports. Michele shares how her upbringing in a racing family led her to launch a nonprofit that offers hands-on opportunities in racing, engineering, marketing, and more. From karting scholarships and immersive track weekends to one-of-a-kind fellowships with top teams and engineers, Mi...

Send us a text 🎧 Host: Melinda Russell 🎤 Guest: Jillian Cole Episode Summary: In this episode, we sit down with 16-year-old outlaw kart racer Jillian Cole — a driven young woman from California with a growing passion for motorsports. Jillian shares how she got her start in quarter midgets, what it’s like racing alongside her twin brother, and how making the jump to outlaw karts has pushed her to grow as a driver and a person. Jillian opens up about overcoming bullying, building confidence, and...

Send us a text 🚗💨 Meet Jenna Johnson! A passionate racer and devoted mom, Jenna's journey in motorsports is all about family, fun, and empowerment. From her childhood memories of riding on her dad's race car to competing in the Crown Vic Junior class, she inspires young women to chase their racing dreams. Follow her journey and cheer her on as she hits the track! 🏁💜 #WomenInMotorsports #JennaJohnson #RacingFamily Support the show

Send us a text 🚗✨ New Episode Alert! ✨🚗 Join us for an inspiring conversation with Abby Kay McDonald, a talented drag racer from the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia! 🇦🇺 In this episode, Abby shares her incredible journey into the world of motorsports, her passion for speed, and the importance of community in racing. 💬 Highlights from the Episode: Abby's unconventional entry into motorsports and her love for cars from a young age. The thrill of racing and the supportive community that welcom...

Send us a text 🚗✨ New Episode Alert! ✨🚗 Join us for an inspiring conversation with Amy Lerner, a trailblazer in off-road racing and cross-country rally! 🌍🏁 In this episode, Amy shares her incredible journey from a car-loving girl in Long Island to competing in some of the most challenging rallies around the world. Discover how her passion for motorsports ignited after a midlife crisis led her to an all-women's navigation rally in Morocco. 🏆💪 Highlights include: The legendary Rod Hall and his...

Send us a text 🚗✨ New Podcast Episode Alert! ✨🚗 Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Kristin Shaw, an automotive journalist and trailblazer in the world of motorsports! 🌟 From her early love for classic cars to competing in the challenging Rebel Rally at the age of 50, Kristin shares her incredible experiences and insights on writing, community, and the power of following your passion. 🎙️ Tune in to hear her stories about connecting with industry leaders, embracing your unique voi...

Send us a text 🌟 Join us on the latest episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast! 🚗💨 This week, we’re thrilled to feature Misty Wagner, a passionate racing photographer and advocate for women in motorsports. Hear her inspiring journey from capturing thrilling moments at the track to empowering female racers. 📸✨ Misty shares her experiences, the importance of professional photography in preserving memories, and the growing community of women in racing. Whether you’re a fan, a racer, or...

Send us a text In this episode of the Women’s Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell sits down with Aubree Walker, a 16-year-old aspiring race car driver from Anderson, Indiana. Aubree shares her journey into motorsports, her experiences in the NXG Youth Motorsports program, and her dreams of racing in the Indy 500. Early Passion for Racing Aubree’s interest in racing began in elementary school when she learned about the Indy 500. She told her parents she wanted to be a race car driv...

Send us a text In this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell interviews Robin Ridgway, an engineer and drag racer from Lafayette, Indiana. Robin shares her journey into motorsports, which began with a deep-rooted love for mechanics instilled by her mother, an automotive technician. She started drag racing about 12 years ago, inspired after attending a National Hot Rod Diesel Association (NHRDA) event where she realized that everyday pickup trucks, like her own,...

Send us a text LeeAnne Young – A Trailblazer in Speedway Racing Host: Melinda Russell Guest: LeeAnne Young About LeeAnne Young A veteran racer from Victoria, Australia, with over 30 years of experience in Speedway racing. Lives in a small country town with her husband, three adult children, seven grandchildren, and a great-grandson. Manages Gooses Autos, a family-owned mechanical business operating for over 30 years. Competes in Speedway and tarmac racing, holding five state titles and curre...

Send us a text In this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell welcomes Audrey Gerberding, a young and passionate racer with a lifelong dedication to motorsports. Having first met Audrey as a young girl at PRI in 2018, Melinda reflects on how Audrey has grown into an accomplished racer and aspiring industry professional. Now 19 years old, Audrey is pursuing a degree in automotive and high-performance technology at the University of Northwestern Ohio while balanc...