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The engines might cool at sunset, but the stories only get hotter. We sit down with Minnesota racer Alexa Gross for a candid ride through family-built race craft, moving up to Wasota Super Stocks, and the steady confidence that comes from small wins and patient passes. From a childhood spent at the track to a heat race victory that changed her mindset, Alexa shows how real progress often looks like late nights in the garage, film study after the lights go dark, and learning to trust the feel of a faster car.

Alexa opens up about racing alongside her dad and husband, what it takes to prep a car as a tight-knit team, and why a supportive local scene—complete with a Women in Motorsports night and father-daughter spotlights—makes the sport feel welcoming. She keeps it practical and honest: starts are tough, Turn 1 is unforgiving, and budgets are real. Yet the joy is undeniable, whether it’s a third-place finish earned by smart patience, a lead during the Mighty Axe Nationals, or a two-week winter escape racing the Early Thaw in Casa Grande. She also shares how flying Cessna trainers sharpens her decision-making and calm, skills that transfer directly to dirt racing under pressure.

We dig into how Alexa balances graduate school in social work, racing Thursdays and Sundays, and staying grounded with fitness, family, and the rituals that keep her focused. She offers thoughtful advice for women curious about motorsports, plus smart tips on building a racing presence on Facebook and TikTok without losing your voice. If you love grassroots racing, father-daughter teams, and the art of turning laps into lessons, this conversation delivers heart, horsepower, and plenty of practical takeaways.

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A leap off a Kentucky waterfall for a shot at a first race car. Late nights in the shop turning a bare frame into a factory stock. A seat in the UNOH engine room and a bold jump to the ASA Stars National Tour. Gabby Grigsby’s path is a fast, honest look at how a young driver builds speed, skill, and thick skin—one step at a time.

We talk through the family roots that shaped her love for racing and how switching between a quarter-mile factory stock and a half-mile late model sharpened her race IQ. Gabby breaks down what it’s like to be the lone “engine girl” on a busy collegiate team, why engine knowledge changes how you drive, and how documenting failures turns bad nights into better setups. She shares the laddered goals that keep her grounded—finish, stay on the lead lap, qualify tighter—and what changes when you unload with the ASA paddock and test yourself against elite super late model talent.

You’ll hear how a small, family-led crew makes big weekends possible, from her dad’s crew chief role and sponsorship support to classmates getting ARCA-style pit reps. We dig into the realities of budget, travel, and social media, and why showing the work—not just the wins—matters to partners. Most of all, Gabby’s message to young women stands out: protect your confidence, ignore lazy opinions, and keep climbing your ladder without skipping steps.

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A five-year-old asks for a race kart. A teenager helps build her first full-bodied car. Then she trades her helmet for a tiara to grow the sport she loves. Meet Zoe Quinn—19-year-old driver and 2025 Miss Mahoning—whose story proves that visibility can be just as powerful as velocity.

We dive into Zoe’s early start in pee-wee karts and a decade in quarter midgets, where consistent top-three finishes taught her discipline and patience. She walks us through building a rookie hobby stock with her dad, from stripping a street car to swapping a motor, and explains how turning wrenches built the confidence she carries to the grid. You’ll hear the “oh no” that every racer fears—her steering wheel popping off in practice—and how composure, quick repairs, and a reset got her back for heats and the feature. Along the way, she shares the race-day routine that keeps her sharp: protein, hydration, and a non-negotiable good-luck kiss with her dad.

Zoe also opens up about stepping into Miss Mahoning by one vote and why the role matters. From kids’ events and victory lane to visiting neighboring tracks, she’s using the spotlight to invite more women into motorsports and showcase the behind-the-scenes work that makes race night run. We unpack the world of motorsports pageants like Motorama and Miss Motorsports, how ambassadors amplify local racing, and what real support looks like for first-time female drivers. Mentors like Corey Edelman and Anthony Sesely show up here too, reminding us how guidance and community keep young talent in the sport.

If you care about grassroots racing, women in motorsports, driver development, and the culture that turns fans into family, this conversation is a lap worth taking. Stick around for practical mindset takeaways, candid talk about adversity, and a clear path for growing participation through stories, access, and simple, steady support.

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