By Patrick Reynolds

My six-year-old daughter Colleen is growing into quite the little race fan. On more than one occasion, our speedway experiences together have produced interesting observations. A few columns have also been sparked from her motorsports commentary.

How does the saying go? Out of the mouths of babes?

But an obvious factor had escaped her notice. The motorsports element that would, without question, grab a young girl’s focus and capture her attention like a movie about princesses saving ponies wearing diamond saddles. A detail that grows slightly each season and is now commonplace at racetracks has not been a major issue with her.

Until now.

The female race car driver.

Colleen and I take in local weekend grassroots races during the summer months here in North Carolina. She has a fairly decent resume built up at her age. Hickory Motor Speedway, Bowman Gray Stadium, and Concord Motorsport Park are all on her “been-to” list.

She will gravitate and root for particularly colorful cars. Anything painted bright pink or day-glow orange has an instant fan.

Yet frequently she has asked an additional test of my racing knowledge. “Are there any girls racing?”

And more frequently I am saying, “Yes!”

As a matter of fact, I seem to be saying yes all the time. We simply do not go to any tracks anymore where there are not females in the field of entries. Many consist of competitive drivers, not a token novelty riding along at the rear of the pack. When Becca Kasten or Kenzie Ruston climb behind the wheel of a Super Late Model, the men know there are two more serious drivers they have to deal with.

The female angle is capturing Colleen’s attention on television, as well. Together, we watched Courtney Force’s first NHRA Funny Car pass- and win- in the Pomona Winternationals.

I explained the girl driving the black car, Courtney, just won. In the very next race her father John Force drove the green car. He was racing against another black car driven by Alexis DeJoria, another girl.

Colleen’s jaw dropped and here eyes grew wide. A deeper auto racing connection was instantly made.

I cannot speak for all fathers out there, but the women racecar drivers I see are certainly providing an extra attraction to the little girl I see every day. The pair of us have fun, bond, and enjoy our special Daddy-Daughter days at the track. The women putting on Nomex suits have one more fan cheering for them on this side of the fence.

As this season begins, an Erica Enders in an NHRA Pro Stock or a Simona de Silvestro in an Indycar are appealing to my household’s booster seat demographic. There is one female driver taking on NASCAR this year that we may read a little about, too. I have confidence Colleen will be cheering her on.

The name is Danica Patrick. Ever hear of her?

(Patrick Reynolds is a former professional NASCAR team mechanic who hosts Motor Week LIVE! on RacersReunion Radio Mondays at 7pm ET/ 4pm PT)

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