All female pit crew to debut in Texas Truck race.
The first all female pit crew to compete in a NASCAR event is hard at work practicing their pit stop duties for the June 6th O'Reilly 400k NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.
The Aaron's Dream Team presented by Texas Motor Speedway will be crewing at Texas for driver Shawna Robinson, who will drive the No. 49 truck sponsored by Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership.
The first all female pit crew to compete in a NASCAR event is hard at work practicing their pit stop duties for the June 6th O'Reilly 400k NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.
The Aaron's Dream Team presented by Texas Motor Speedway will be crewing at Texas for driver Shawna Robinson, who will drive the No. 49 truck sponsored by Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership.
"They're practicing hard and improving with every session," said speedway general manager Eddie Gossage. "We first kicked around the possibility of something like this late last year. Women are involved in so many areas of racing we thought why not a pit crew? To our knowledge, this is the first time an all female pit crew has participated in one of NASCAR's major touring series. If they can compete at this level it may create other opportunities for them."
"We're excited to be teaming up with Shawna again," said Ken Butler, President of Aaron's Sales and Lease Ownership. "The idea of an all female pit crew is so unique. Hopefully, the Aaron's Dream Team will be an inspiration for young girls to aspire into this field, and one day their dreams of being a driver or crew member will come true!"
The seven members of the pit crew were recruited through local fitness facilities and are all from the Fort Worth-Dallas area. Their backgrounds and personal histories run the gamut. Their ages range from early twenties to thirties; three are married or engaged - four single; three are moms; two are full-time students; three work full-time in the fitness business; and one is a senior financial analyst working on her masters degree in Technology Management. What they all do possess in common is physical strength and a competitive desire.
The truck is prepared by Team Texas High Performance Driving School, and owner Mike Starr will serve as crew chief for the team. It's the same truck that won the fall NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Texas in 2000 when it was driven by Bryan Reffner for Team Menard Racing. Starr purchased the truck from John Menard and nephew David Starr drove it to a third place finish at Texas in June 2001 and a fourth place finish in October that same year.
Robinson tested in the truck at Texas April 21-22 and ran speeds that would have qualified her on the front row of Sept. 2002 race at Texas.
"I'm happy to have this opportunity to go racing," said Robinson. "I admit that even I was sceptical when I heard about the pit crew concept but after meeting with the team I realize that they are committed to doing this and will work their hardest to do a good job. It's my job to drive the truck to the best of my ability and see how we can do as a team. It's a great truck so we do have a shot at it."
Tickets are available for the O'Reilly 400 at the speedway, by calling the speedway ticket office at (817) 215-8500 or going online to The members of the #49 Aaron's Dream Team are Shanda Bronston Alaena Grable Geri Lynn Parris Gail Stracener Gina Tomaseski "Gina T" Sue Webb Ann Pratt
www.texasmotorspeedway.com
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