As NASCAR returns to COTA this weekend, a special gathering celebrated Women in Sports as part of Women’s History Month.
Women in Sports Presented by NASCAR gathered a group of women across the sports industry to share their personal experiences navigating traditionally male dominated fields.
After Austin’s Fox 7 and COTA Track TV Host Tierra Neubaum opened the event, Amanda Busick from FOX Sports spoke to her motorsports fandom and how she’s navigated a nontraditional career path to the paddock.
Shelley Phillips and Karly Tuckness, Founders of Four Leaf Productions, shared advice on the highs and lows of starting a business from their personal experiences. The duo and their company produced NASCAR’s first-ever Chicago Street Race in 2023, successfully building all non-racing elements of the event weekend in the heart of a major city.
Inspirational athletes Celera Barnes and Lizzi Smith spoke with Tierra about the struggles they’ve overcome to find success in their sports: Track & Field and Paralympic Swimming, respectively. Celera spoke about the powerful impact of female coaches in her life and encouraged the audience to lean on the women around them for support. Lizzie is grateful to be an inspiration for athletes with different abilities – she was born without a left forearm and has gone on to win 2 Paralympic Silver Medals and 1 Bronze.
NASCAR’s Toni Breidinger spoke about her racing career, and how she hopes to expand the female presence in the sport moving forward. She’s proud of the barriers she’s broken thus far and is confident this is only the beginning of her story.
To close out the event, Jessica Fickenscher and Marissa Cheney from Speedway Children’s Charities spoke about the organization’s mission to fund direct needs of children facing pressing obstacles. The charity is providing special access to some of the children in need this weekend at COTA.
To experience the thrills of NASCAR at COTA, visit COTA’s website for tickets and updates.
