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One national win, one scary flip, and one giant leap forward. We sit down with Paiten Burnham, a 16-year-old quarter midget racer from Connecticut, to unpack a season defined by consistency, courage, and the bold move to test a midget in Indianapolis right after her final national in Topeka. From the bright lights of Las Vegas to the sweet payoff at Richmond, Paiten shares how travel, track time, and tight teamwork with her dad shaped a year that pushed her racecraft and mindset to new levels.

We dig into the nuts and bolts—running Heavy 160, Unrestricted, and World Formula—while chasing national points and learning how to adapt setups to different tracks. Paiten opens up about the flip that cracked her helmet and how safety, recovery, and focus kept her season on track. Beyond lap times, she breaks down how character fuels opportunity, earning a spot in the Petty Edge Performance Top 10 where grades, sportsmanship, and social presence matter as much as speed. It’s a modern motorsports reality: sponsors and teams want complete athletes who can win races and represent brands with integrity.

What comes next is where the story accelerates. Paiten is aging out of quarter midgets and stepping into midgets across the Midwest—Ohio, Indiana, and possibly Michigan—aiming for bigger stages and higher stakes, including the dream shot at the Tulsa Shootout. Along the way, she reflects on friendships made in the paddock, the family-first culture that keeps racers grounded, and the confidence that comes from doing the hard work when no one’s watching. This is a candid look at how young drivers grow, where they stumble, and how they find the next gear.

If you love women in motorsports, grassroots racing, and stories of young athletes leveling up, you’ll want to hear this one. Tap follow, share it with a racing friend, and leave a review to help more fans discover the Women’s Motorsports Network. Your support keeps these stories on the grid.

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Faith finds its place in the fast lane through the quiet, consistent ministry of racing chaplains. In this heartfelt conversation, Lori Cutter reveals her journey from pit crew member to Racers for Christ chaplain, sharing how divine timing led her to discover her true calling after years in various motorsports roles.

"I never felt 100 percent like the Lord had me exactly where he wanted me," Lori confesses, describing the moment everything changed when a fellow crew member challenged her to consider chaplaincy. Now serving primarily with High Limit Racing alongside her husband Charlie, who works as a track medic, Lori has found her purpose providing spiritual support to drivers, crews, families, and fans.

The chaplain's role extends far beyond the visible prayers before races. From cleaning mud off cars when teams are scrambling to make repairs, to checking on drivers after crashes, to sending birthday cards and cupcakes to traveling teams – these "God winks" create meaningful connections in a community that's constantly on the move. "I'm finding that I'm that mom figure," Lori explains, "that comforting figure they normally would get when they're home."

With only about twenty chaplains covering all dirt tracks nationwide, Racers for Christ faces a significant need for volunteers willing to serve this unique mission field. Lori's story illuminates how racing creates a special kind of family, where text messages from worried mothers asking her to give their kids a hug bridge the distance between home and the track.

Whether you're involved in motorsports or simply curious about how faith intersects with racing culture, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into the spiritual side of speed. Visit TeamRFC.org to learn how you can support this ministry or explore becoming a chaplain yourself. After all, as Lori reminds us: "God plants you, but he doesn't leave you there."

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At age nine, Veronica McCann received racing gear for her birthday. Now, decades later, this Perth, Western Australia native is still pursuing her passion across two continents. Nicknamed "Red Hot Ronnie" for her distinctive auburn hair, Veronica brings a refreshing perspective to dirt track racing that bridges Australian and American motorsports cultures.

From winning a track championship at Perth Motorplex at just 19 to placing third in prestigious Australian series for three consecutive years, Veronica's competitive spirit is matched only by her willingness to learn. She candidly shares what drove her to pack her bags at 21 and fly alone to America to chase racing opportunities, describing the courage required to leave her close-knit family and how this journey transformed her personally and professionally.

The conversation reveals fascinating contrasts between Australian and American dirt track racing approaches. While her home season follows a regimented schedule from October through April, Veronica's recent Tennessee racing adventure introduced her to the more spontaneous "winging it" style of American racing—deciding where to compete just days before events based on tire compounds and prize purses. This adaptability has expanded her racing toolkit in unexpected ways.

Now balancing her own dirt late model team in Australia with a professional role managing speedway operations at Perth Motorplex, Veronica embodies how racing passion evolves throughout life's seasons. Her story resonates with anyone who has stepped outside their comfort zone to pursue their dreams, proving that racing's greatest lessons sometimes happen far from home. Follow her continuing journey on Facebook at Veronica McCann/Red Hot Racing as she takes what she's learned from American dirt back to the Australian racing scene this October.

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Meet the extraordinary Sadie Parsons, a 10-year-old racing phenom who's already collecting championships like most kids collect toys. From the moment her father introduced her to go-kart racing at age five, Sadie has been on an unstoppable journey through the motorsports world.

Born into racing royalty—both her parents met on the go-kart circuit—Sadie has quickly advanced through multiple racing classes with remarkable skill. She confidently discusses the nuances between driving go-karts, Bandoleros, Legend cars, and Crown Vics with the expertise of someone three times her age. What's more impressive? She doesn't just drive these machines; she can completely disassemble and rebuild them, understanding every mechanical aspect of her vehicles.

The results speak volumes: five championships in a single season, across multiple racing classes. Her trophy collection has outgrown her bedroom, now spanning hallways and the family race shop. Between homeschooling (which she completes in about an hour daily), gymnastics training, and maintaining her race cars, Sadie demonstrates a work ethic and maturity that defies her years.

Throughout our conversation, Sadie's genuine passion for motorsports shines through, matched only by her humility and faith. "I know without Him I wouldn't have this ability to race," she shares, crediting God for her talents. Her ultimate goal? NASCAR—and given her trajectory, few would bet against her getting there.

Subscribe to our podcast for more inspiring stories of women breaking barriers in motorsports, and follow Sadie's journey on social media at SO3 Motorsports. This young driver represents the bright future of women in racing, and we can't wait to see where her journey leads.

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From street racing at age four to making history as the first driver to break the seven-second barrier in a front-wheel drive car, Lisa Kubo's motorsports journey embodies the revolutionary spirit that transformed import racing from underground gatherings to professional competition.

Lisa's story begins with motorsports in her blood – her baby book even documents her two-week-old self watching her father win street races. That early exposure blossomed into a pioneering career that helped define an entire motorsport category. During our conversation, she vividly recounts the transition from being part of the "red-headed stepchildren" of racing to becoming a professional competitor overnight when organizations like Battle of the Imports, IDRC, and NHRA created platforms for import racers.

The most captivating chapter in Lisa's career came when Saturn Motorsports recruited her to challenge corporate General Motors in the quest to be the first front-wheel drive to break the seven-second barrier. "Here's us, a bunch of kids from the Honda world, going up against corporate GM," she recalls. The underdog story culminated in a historic 7.96-second pass at West Palm Beach's Moroso track – a record that earned her recognition, championship jackets, and a $10,000 bounty.

Beyond the trophies and records, Lisa reflects on how motorsports shaped her character, teaching her to be what she calls a "chameleon" who could navigate any environment from corporate sponsors to pit areas. These life lessons – emotional control, financial management, professional poise – came during her formative years when most peers were in college.

Today, Lisa manages a performance shop in Florida while rebuilding her iconic Civic race car after a 20-year hiatus. Her goal isn't necessarily to dominate again but to honor her legacy and the supporters who've encouraged her return. Follow her comeback journey on Instagram and TikTok @lisaKuboracing and witness the next chapter of this remarkable motorsports pioneer.

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Passion fuels Ava Weil's racing journey across dirt and asphalt, creating a remarkable story of perseverance and growth. This high school senior from Plymouth, Indiana doesn't just race – she lives and breathes motorsports with dreams of turning her passion into a career through motorsports management.

Ava's racing roots run deep, beginning at age four when she climbed into her brother's quarter midget for the first time. Though she stepped away from quarter midgets after two years to balance school and sports, racing remained in her blood. At thirteen, she found herself back in the motorsports world, working alongside her uncle and cousin on their street stock and modified cars, absorbing knowledge that would later prove invaluable.

The most fascinating turn in Ava's story comes with her transition from asphalt to dirt racing. After purchasing a front-wheel-drive car at fourteen that rarely saw track time due to her busy sports schedule, a chance invitation to try a go-kart on dirt opened an entirely new chapter. Despite having no dirt experience, Ava's natural talent shone through – finishing second in just her second race with her own kart. Now in her second season, she's claimed three victories and secured multiple sponsors.

What makes Ava's experience particularly noteworthy is her position as one of only three females racing at MoCarts of Marshall County. Her success isn't just personal – it's inspirational. She actively encourages more girls to enter motorsports, even letting young girls try her kart after races to spark their interest. Her philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: racing means more to her than typical teenage activities because it fulfills a deeper passion.

The technical aspects of racing don't intimidate Ava either. She works closely with her father on kart setup, particularly focusing on tire preparation and maintaining the required 5,500 RPM limit. These hands-on experiences provide practical application for her future studies in motorsports management.

If you're inspired by stories of young women breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated spaces, Ava's journey will resonate deeply. Follow her progress on Facebook under "Weil Racing" and witness firsthand how determination, family support, and raw talent combine to create a promising future in motorsports.

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What happens when your entire identity becomes wrapped up in someone else's spotlight? Eileen Noyes knows this journey intimately. From college strength coach to NFL wife overnight, she experienced firsthand how quickly women can lose themselves in the shadows of their relationships.

Eileen's story takes us behind the curtain of professional sports families, revealing the intense pressures, identity crises, and impossible standards that come with being "the wife of" someone famous. With raw honesty, she shares how her 16-year marriage to an NFL player ended when he joined an organization promoting harmful beliefs about women, forcing her to completely rebuild her life while raising eight children in the public eye.

Now remarried and part of a blended family with a staggering 15 children between them, Eileen has found unexpected connections to the motorsports world through her husband's motorcycle touring company. This surprising link bridges her past experiences with her current life, demonstrating how our journeys often come full circle in unexpected ways.

The conversation goes far beyond sports, touching on universal struggles that resonate with women from all walks of life. How do we maintain our sense of self while supporting others? What happens when we've neglected our own dreams for so long we can barely remember them? And most importantly, how do we take those first small steps back toward ourselves?

Eileen's message is both challenging and liberating: "We put oxygen masks on others while neglecting ourselves." She encourages women to make "little shifts" – carving out even 15 minutes daily for something that brings personal fulfillment, whether it's learning an instrument, taking walks, or pursuing creative outlets.

Ready to move from the sidelines back to the driver's seat of your own life? This conversation offers practical wisdom, heartfelt encouragement, and permission to reclaim the parts of yourself you may have forgotten. Your value extends far beyond your relationships to others – and it's never too late to rediscover who you truly are.

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What happens when you finally say "yes" to the thing you've been avoiding? For Caylee Kjos, one reluctant agreement to race "just once" completely transformed her life trajectory.

Caylee never imagined herself as a race car driver. In fact, she actively resisted her stepdad Quinn's persistent encouragement, dismissing racing as "boring" and claiming cars "just go in circles." Her only interest at the track was watching one particular driver compete. Everything changed during that final race of the 2017 season when she finally caved to pressure and climbed behind the wheel of a hobby stock car at Fountain City.

Despite knowing only the basics about racing flags (and hilariously getting black-flagged when her muffler fell off), something unexpected happened—she fell in love with the sport instantly. "I could not wait to get back out there," Caylee reveals, describing how that single experience ignited a passion she never knew existed.

Now racing both late models and eco mods at tracks around Winona, Caylee balances her motorsports career with work at OZ Lifting Products and studying radiology at Southeast Technical College. Her racing style reflects her personality—starting calm and becoming increasingly aggressive as races progress. Unlike many drivers, she prefers starting from the back, embracing the challenge of working forward through the field.

The heart of Caylee's story lies in the special relationship developed with her stepdad, who recognized her potential during family snowmobile trips long before she saw it herself. Now serving as her crew chief, they spend nearly every evening working on her cars together, creating memories and sharing a bond forged through their mutual passion for racing.

For women considering motorsports but hesitating due to fear, Caylee offers simple but powerful advice: "Face your fears and don't be scared... once you get on the track, it's not scary, you're just ready to go." Follow Caylee's continuing journey toward her first win on Facebook as she proves what can happen when you finally say yes to the unexpected opportunities that might just change everything.

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