July 17, 2025

Little Racer, Big Impact: Lizzy Vogel's Inspiring Journey

Little Racer, Big Impact: Lizzy Vogel's Inspiring Journey

Send us a text Lizzy Vogel, an eight-year-old fourth-generation quarter midget racer, shares her inspiring journey from beginning in go-karts at age five to becoming a Hoosier Hero award winner while managing multiple surgeries for her cleft palate and lip. Her remarkable story encompasses the highs and lows of her racing career, her cleft palate awareness initiatives, and her compassionate work creating care packages for children undergoing similar surgeries. • Started racing go-karts at a...

Send us a text

Lizzy Vogel, an eight-year-old fourth-generation quarter midget racer, shares her inspiring journey from beginning in go-karts at age five to becoming a Hoosier Hero award winner while managing multiple surgeries for her cleft palate and lip. Her remarkable story encompasses the highs and lows of her racing career, her cleft palate awareness initiatives, and her compassionate work creating care packages for children undergoing similar surgeries.

• Started racing go-karts at age five, now races quarter midgets in Blue Rookie class
• Competes with car number 83E, matching her father's racing number
• Entire family races - her father in E-mods, mother in flat carts, and six-year-old sister
• Born with a cleft palate and lip, has undergone approximately 12 surgeries
• Creates care packages with blankets, teddy bears, and books for children having cleft surgeries
• Recognized as a Hoosier Hero at PRI for her racing accomplishments and community work
• Selected as a Young Gun driver for Nicole's Dream supporting childhood cancer awareness
• Dreams of becoming a doctor to help children with medical challenges
• Shows remarkable empathy and maturity beyond her years
• Demonstrates that motorsports provides valuable life lessons about resilience and compassion


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00:00 - Meet 8-Year-Old Racer Lizzie Vogel

03:27 - Racing Journey: From Go-Karts to Quarter Midgets

09:40 - Life Lessons at the Track

16:50 - Cleft Palate Awareness and Hospital Care Packages

22:16 - Hoosier Hero Award and Racing for Others

29:40 - Episode Wrap-up and Closing Thoughts