Why does the off-season always seems so long, yet racing season always sneaks up on us? Between my tough college classes, daily tennis practices, and my demanding job little time has been available to be devoted to my racecars. Every girl likes having a hot date with their racecar! With just under three weeks until race season kicks off we’re officially in crunch time. Luckily I have a very loving and dedicated family and crew that help to work on my cars when I’m not able to contribute my time. It’s really hard not being able to help out when I love working on the cars.

Yes, I said I love working on my cars! It’s really irritating to me and I’m sure other female racers when people, especially guys, think we don’t work on our own cars. “All you do is stand there and look pretty.” Ah, yeah right! Hearing that comment day after day and year after year really grinds my gears (no pun intended!).  My mom told me when I first started racing, “Shannon, don’t think you’re going to stand around and not help out on your car. I’ll pull the plug real quick if you don’t help”.  In previous years I put in tons of hours in the shop including all-nighters. Outside of the shop and inside the pits I still get harassed with that same snarky comment. C’mon just because we’re girls doesn’t mean we don’t know how to turn a wrench or work a riveter!  When we’re at the track I do most of the car adjustments on my own.  And I can’t forget to mention that my mother basically did the entire body on my modified. Woo!

Three time UMP Summer Nationals Champion late model driver, Dennis Erb Jr. from Carpentersville, Illinois has a female crew chief, and I don’t think I’ve seen another woman work as hard as she. He has won tons of races and titles with her at his side. She justifies not only that woman work on racecars, but that we do it just as good if not better.  :)

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