Candace Muzny breaking barriers on the track

Courtesy of LaurinburgExchange.com

Almost every weekend throughout the year, thousands of racers get behind the wheel for the chance to reach racing greatest stage on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

On the local tracks, real racing talent thrives, as the next NASCAR superstar hope to make a name for themselves, dreaming that their talent shines through the dirt and asphalt tracks where legends make their names.

For Candace Muzny, the dream of becoming racing’s next big household name is an aspiration worth chasing, and the 28-year-old owner and driver continued her trek towards NASCAR glory last weekend at the Carolina 200 in Rockingham.

The Oklahoma City native placed 13^th overall at the 200-mile race across the county border, breaking stereotypes and competitor’s spirits on her way to 81 top-10 finishes over her 9-year career.

Muzny began racing at the age of 19, and through her family, her passion for the sport grew as she moved up the racing world’s ranks.

“My parents, Al and Vanita Muzny, took me took our local dirt track at the Oklahoma City Fair Grounds since I was 3-years-old,” Muzny said. “My parents owned a Texaco gas station and I was always around cars and I loved them. However, I did not start racing until I was 19 at the Las Vegas Bullring in the Speed Truck Series. I was hooked from that moment on. I then moved to California and started racing Late Model at Irwindale Speedway and Mesa Marin Raceway for five years, then moved here to Mooresville, N.C., Race City USA.”

Muzny has spent four years in North Carolina, competing in Late Model races and in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

Muzny and her team operate CNM RACING Inc., out of Mooresville, but the crew headed down to Richmond County on May 14 for the Carolina 200 at “The Rock.”

The trip to the Rockingham Speedway was a first for Muzny. Her No. 92 Arrow Wrecker Service and & Titan Project Services Toyota Camry finished 13^th overall, just missing the top-10.

“The Rockingham Speedway is a Cup Level facility at very high-rate speed,” she said. “It’s considered a very challenging and difficult track to drive. Some of the greatest drivers ever have raced here like Dale (Earnhardt) Sr., Dale Jr., and Carl Yarbrough. This place is serious.”

The connection to NASCAR’s past was not lost on Muzny, who hopes to one day break into the Sprint Cup ranks.

“I feel in my heart that this next season I am ready to move into the Camping World Truck Series and move up the ladder from there,” Muzny said. “The only thing I need is more funding with sponsorship’s support. Truthfully, right now, no one is getting rides (just) on talent. You must bring money to the table to move up, which is sad because truly talented drivers are being missed and it hurts the sport over all.”

Muzny said that funding is currently the toughest aspect of racing life, and that as a female in a male dominated sport, she continues to race her best to show that she has what it takes to break down gender stereotypes.

“It is very difficult for women in racing, but for the most part, there is a lot of support from fellow drivers that respect how difficult it is for all athletes in this sport,” Muzny said. “But, there are some that still live in the Stone Age and appear to be small minded people. That’s their opinion. It doesn’t bother me a bit. If anything, it fuels my fire to prove them wrong.”

Muzny said that with a strong female backing, she has been able to prove that she belongs on the track and that she deserves a spot in the racing brotherhood.

“My mom has been the most important female in my life,” she said. “She has made me successful in all that I do and has been there for me when times are tough and when they are the best. I had the pleasure of meeting (drag racing legend) Shirley Muldowney. She has been the woman in racing that has inspired me the most. She’s not only proved herself all on her own, she was the first woman that truly opened the door with her winning championships and proving that women belong in racing (during a time when it was) more difficult to prove.”

Currently, the Mark Martin fan and proud Newfoundland dog owner has a handful of second place finishes on her career resume, including a runner-up finish in 2010 at Hickory Motor Speedway.

The blonde speed demon is still searching for that first win, but knows that the time for celebration is coming soon.

“What can I do to get that first win? I ask myself that same question every Saturday morning,” Muzny said. “Honestly, I don’t know why we haven’t won because we finished second four times last year. The day is coming, just you wait and see.”

Muzny said that even when she finally gets to stand atop the podium, her desire and drive to be the best will never fade.

“Honestly, I have a great many reasons why (my passion for racing is continuing to grow),” she said. “My faith in God, my faith in myself and the love and support of my parents (keeps me going). My love for the sport and my determination and willingness to be the best that I can be (drives me). Racing is unbelievably hard and that’s what makes it great and rewarding. (Having) the fans (cheer you on) and then giving back and making a difference…those are the moments when I’m glowing and my smile beams with joy.”

With a full tank of gas and a fresh set of tires, Muzny continues down the track, passing her challengers left and right.

For the young racing phenom, the goal is the checkered flag at the end of a long, hard road, and the prize of reaching racing’s greatest stage is too much to pass up, even when pit stops and cautions stand in the way.