NASCAR Drive for Diversity Now and Then

By Jason D Searcy

It was recently announced that Paige Decker from Eagle River (WI) was chosen for a ride in the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program for 2014. 

She will get the opportunity to race in top quality equipment in the NASCAR Whelen All American series Late Model division down South this summer against some real tough competition.  She will race a total of 15 nights for REV Racing at three different tracks: Langley, Hickory and the Motor Mile.

At just 20 years old Paige caught the eye of the right people last year by winning a 60 lap TUNDRA series Super Late Model race at Golden Sands Speedway.  "I am sure being the first female and first rookie to win a Tundra Super Late Model feature helped me" said Decker.

She said the application process was very easy, she put together race highlight from 2013 and filled out the paperwork online.  When it came time for the on-track audition at Langley Speedway in October, she did well.  "I think the way I jumped into the car and gave it all I got was a big selling point," said Decker.  "I went out on cold tires and got the car up to speed right away, no one else did that."

Paige is the only female driver to make the cut this year, she will join 5 guys in the program with four of them racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series including Daytona Battle at the Beach winner Daniel Suarez. Decker hopes to drive some Super Late Model races in the Midwest for her family team this summer, but it depends on funding. 

Paige has a lot of respect for the drivers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, when she talks about role models in her career she stays local.  "I definitely look up to the Sauters and Danny Fredrickson" said Decker.  "They run the Midwest up here and when those Southern boys come up, and even the NASCAR guys at the Milwaukee mile. They show them who's boss."

The NASCAR "Drive for Diversity" has helped showcase some talented drivers since its inception in 2004.  Some notable alumni have risen to the top of our sport, including Chip Ganassi Sprint Cup driver Kyle Larson and KB Motorsports Truck series driver Bubba Wallace.

One other local racer has spent her time in the program as well, Molly Rhoads from Hastings (MN).  She was part of the program in both 2006 and 2007, she was chosen from over 300 applicants to be one of 19 drivers to audition at South Boston Speedway driving K&N series cars.

Even though Molly was never offered a racing contract it was a unique experience, she was even interviewed on ESPN.  "The media portion included some training and being interviewed by some of the big TV networks," said Rhoads.  "We didn't know the interviews were going anywhere but to the teams until that night when we were all out for dinner and there I was on ESPN!  That was incredibly cool!"

"I wish I was younger and could have the chance to participate in the program now" said Rhoads.  "The program now seems to be more about promoting the drivers and less about NASCAR being diversified and just a marketing program.  They have come a long way over the years and are offering an awesome program for the lucky few who get to be a part of REV Racing."

Molly is a car owner and has continued her racing career here in Minnesota with the exception of 2013 when some health problems kept her off the track.  She expects to resume racing a Super Late Model at Elko Speedway and the TUNDRA series this summer upon approval from her doctors.

Both these ladies are thankful for their opportunities and have represented racing in the Midwest with class.

To Follow us on Twitter go to: https://twitter.com/MollyRhoads98 https://twitter.com/Paige_Decker_03  https://twitter.com/speedtalkon1360

*Top photo courtesy of Dean Reller 

Taking the high Rhoads

By Jason D Searcy    www.speedtalkon1360.com

Race cars can be loud, mean and intimidating, but drivers do not need to be any of those things.

Molly Rhoads started racing thirteen years ago while in High School along with her brother AJ and twin sister Megan.  The summer after graduation, she realized how much she loved the sport, everything about it, and wanted to do it for as long as possible.  She raced at the I-94 Raceway tracks in Sauk Centre and Fergus Falls (MN), that is where she won her first race in the Super Stock and Thunder Car divisions.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E4KqLEnSqE (she is #97)

"Racing at I-94 opened my eyes to the real family that is involved with racing,"  said Molly  "everyone that was there, from the other drivers to the employees and even the fans, were literally the best people I had ever met in my life."

Soft spoken Molly Rhoads was a crowd favorite at I-94, as the track announcer I would help arrange driver autograph sessions during intermission.  Because of the incredibly long lines waiting for Molly's signature, we would have to put her on a separate table from the other guys just to even out the crowd.

She was also very popular in the pits with her fellow racers.  "There was many nights that I showed up there without a crew and different drivers and their crew members would help me unload my car and spot for me.  If I ever had any problems there were always hands on deck to help me get fixed back up and ready to race, that is why I always looked forward to going there" said Rhoads.

Molly eventually moved up to the premier Super Late Model division in 2004 competing with some of the best drivers in the Midwest, she became the first female driver to win a Late Model race at Raceway Park in Shakopee (MN).  She was then accepted into the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program two times where she was given instruction and tutoring from some of the top teams in NASCAR. 

"Janet Guthrie and Lyn St James are very inspirational women that I have looked up to throughout my racing career."  Molly also looks up to NASCAR hot-topic Danica Patrick, "she has spent here entire life working toward making her dream of being a professional race car driver come true.  She has paid her dues and has been successful throughout her career." said Rhoads  "She also is using every one of her assets to make the doors open for her and has helped get female racers noticed throughout the world."

Following her love for Racing has not been easy, it has been challenging in this economy to find enough funds to continue updating her cars and motors.  When she had to take some time off from driving Molly worked in the pits as crew chief for Bryan Roach who was driving local Super Late Model races and in the ASA Midwest tour.  Her popularity in the pits was rewarded with the Craftsman "Mechanic of the year" award at Raceway Park in 2009.  Molly has jumped around the last couple years racing at Raceway Park (MN) and Dells Raceway Park (WI).

This year Molly was accepted into Race4Girls.com.  Its a national program that promotes successful female racers and helps them improve their race team.  Molly says "www.race4girls.com is a great idea, Tracey Passantino is devoting her life to helping me and other female racers.  You can donate as little as $5 and ALL of the money (minus the paypal fees) goes to the driver.  It is so easy to show some support and if even a handful of people you know donate $5, it will help me and other successful female drivers a ton."

Molly Rhoads is not the typical race car driver, here in Minnesota or anywhere else, but I think everyone is OK with that.

Molly plans on racing the full 2012 season in a Super Late Model at Elko (MN) Speedway and enter both ASA Midwest tour events in Minnesota.   "Some of the best drivers have come out of Elko Speedway," said Rhoads "I am super excited to race with them every week and gain as much experience as I can."

To get more information on Molly Rhoads racing go to www.rhoadsracing.com or www.race4girls.com

Molly Rhoads on Speedtalk

Long time racer Molly Rhoads will be on "Speedtalk on 1360" with Jason and Dean this Saturday 10-11am April 17th on KRWC radio and http://www.krwc1360.com/

Molly started racing back in 1998 driving her brother AJ's Sportsmen car at Elko Speedway. We go to know Molly when she raced at I-94 Raceway and Fergus Falls raceway beginning in 2001. She raced Street stock, Super stock, Limited Late Model and then finally in the Super Late Model divisions. She earned many rookie-0f-the-year awards, sportsman of the year and most popular driver awards.

At I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre we would arrange "driver autograph sessions" during intermission and we had to make sure Molly had a table all to herself because she would draw such a long line of fans.

In 2004 Molly was the first female driver to ever win a Late Model race at Raceway Park in Shakopee. She was chosen as one of only 16 drivers to try out for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program in 2006.

After helping Bryan Roach in the pits the last couple of years, Molly is back and looking to compete for a Super Late Model championship at Raceway Park in 2010.

http://www.mollyrhoads.com/

*Above picture is Molly with Erin Crocker