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2019 Women of the Year Awards

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2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year

Welcome back to the 2019 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards!   This annual award program allows our readers and fans to nominate and recognize their favorite choices for woman of the year in motorsports based on their performances on and off the track.

2019 HORSEPOWER & HEELS WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS CATEGORIES

The 2019 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year awards recognize women in seven award categories:

  • Female Racer of the Year
  • Female Crewmember of the Year
  • Female Motorsports Professional of the Year
  • Female Rookie of the Year
  • Female Team of the Year
  • Most Improved
  • Most Influential Woman of Motorsports

Each category allows fans to select one woman for nomination.  Once the ballots have been counted, the woman with the most votes in each category will be declared the winner.

View Previous Winners

Voting is open now through December 29, 2019 11:59PM EST.  Votes will be collected into a database and winners will be calculated by tally of votes.   Only one nominee per category, and one ballot per person/email accepted.   

Winners will be announced on December 31, 2019 and posted on this website.

VOTE NOW | 2019 HORSEPOWER & HEELS WOMEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS

2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year

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2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year

Every year, we like to take the opportunity to recognize our fellow women peers excelling in Motorsports and Automotive.   Ladies in the pits, on the track, and in the boardrooms were all making big moves and celebrating amazing milestone victories.   Our second annual awards have welcomed a few new faces to the mix and quite a few familiar names back from the 2015 Women of the Year nominees.

The 2016 Horsepower and Heels Women of the Year Awards is our way of recognizing the women that are out there working hard and making things happen in the motorsports world and in automotive.

Over 400 ballots were cast in 8 days, nominating different women in motorsports.     The competition was tight, and some of the races came down to the final hour of voting.

So without further delay, we’re proud to announce:

DRUMROLL, please……

2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year

 

Congratulations to all the 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year winners and nominees and best of luck in 2017!

Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016

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The Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016 category received 28 nominations and 85 votes for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.    These are women who not only excel in their fields, but also serve as ambassadors and help encourage and influence women in automotive and motorsports.   This was one of the tightest races in the history of the awards, and at the end, it was a deadlocked decision.

Shirley MuldowneyMost Influential Woman of the Year 2016 – Shirley Muldowney/Erica Enders

Erica Enders-Stevens hoists WallyA dead even finish resulted in the first two-way tie for the Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016 category winner.   Horsepower & Heels is proud to announce the 2016 Women of the Year Most Influential category winners – Shirley Muldowney and Erica Enders!

Both of these NHRA Drag Racing ladies have made considerable contributions to the sport.   Shirley Muldowney was one of the ground breaking women that helped to usher in female participation to the sport, winning countless races and championships in her time at the highest level of Top Fuel.      Erica Enders is the modern day champion, a two-time NHRA Pro Stock World Champion, and one of the most prolific winning women in racing today.  

Courtney Lambert and Kory SouzaMost Influential Woman of the Year 2016 Runner Up –  Jessica Kennedy/Courtney Lambert

Jessica KennedyWhere the women of drag racing dead-locked for the top spot, the women of the motorcycle world tied up the runner-up position.    Shotgun Shock owner and go-to gal Jessica Kennedy, and Kory Souza Originals and Allstate Motorcycle spokesperson Courtney Lambert tied for the 2016 Horsepower & Heels Most Influential Woman of the Year 2016 Runner Up positions.

2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the YearMost Influential Woman of the Year 2016 Nominees

  • Kayli Barker
  • Elaine Larsen
  • Janette Thornley
  • Cheryl Hryn
  • Terri Chandler
  • Sarah Burgess
  • Leah Pritchett
  • Courtney Force
  • Sarah Boyce
  • Alexis DeJoria
  • Kate Gundlach
  • Brittany Force
  • Shannon Giust
  • Aileen Collins-Love
  • Annamarie Strawhand
  • Sara Price
  • Marina Anderson
  • Megan Meyer
  • Ellen Eschenbacher
  • Karen Sullivan
  • Susan Roush
  • Ariel Biggs

Most Improved in 2016

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The Most Improved Woman of the Year category received 30 nominations and 53 votes for the 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.    This recognizes women who have made significant strides at their trades.  

Most Improved - Aileen Collins-LoveMost Improved Woman of the Year 2016 –  Aileen Collins-Love

Horsepower & Heels is proud to announce the winner of the 2016 Women of the Year Most Improved category – Sprint Car Owner/ Driver Aileen Collins-Love!

Aileen finished in 3rd place for the Eagle Jet Top Gun Series Points for the 2016 season.  She improved upon her 10th standing in 2015, and worked hard all season to showcase her talent behind the wheel.

Most Improved Runner Up 2016 –  Megan Meyer

Top Alcohol Dragster Drag Racer, Megan Meyer, was your Most Improved Woman of the Year Runner-Up for the 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.

Most Improved Woman of the Year 2016 Nominees

  • 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the YearHeather Carter
  • Leah Pritchett
  • Janette Thornley
  • Brittany Force
  • Natalie Waggoner
  • Shannon Giust
  • Aileen Collins-Love
  • Angelle Sampey
  • Kayli Barker
  • Cheryl Hyrn
  • Mia Tedesco
  • Angelle Sampey
  • Amber Balcaen
  • Michelle Furr
  • Danica Patrick
  • Marina Anderson
  • Randi Lyn Shipp
  • Laura Landry
  • Lacey Martin
  • Sarah Burgess
  • Sondra Leslie
  • Sarah Boyce
  • Michele Kato
  • Shea Holbrook
  • Brooke Storer
  • Sarah Edwards

 

 

Female Racer of the Year 2016

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Female Racer of the Year category received 41 nominations and 112 votes for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.    This category had an early front-runner, with a few solid challengers through out, but was able to hold strong until the close.

 

Female Racer of the Year 2016 – Janette Thornley

Horsepower & Heels is proud to announce the winner of the Female Racer of the Year 2016 category – Harley Pro Fuel racer, Janette Thornley. janette thornley

Last year, she finished in the runner up position, but this year, her fans shot her up to the number one spot.   Congratulations to Janette! 

Female Racer of the Year 2016 Runner Up –  Aileen Collins-Love

Sprint Car racer Aileen Collins-Love was your Female Racer of the Year 2016 Runner-Up for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.  

Female Racer of the Year 2016 Nominees

  • 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the YearErica Enders
  • Melanie Salemi
  • Kayli Barker
  • Heather Carter
  • Leah Pritchett
  • Elaine Larsen
  • Nina Gusler
  • Lilian Cacioppo
  • Shannon Giust
  • Alexis DeJoria
  • Cheryl Hryn
  • Angelle Sampey
  • Jessi Combs
  • Jackie Fricke
  • Pippa Mann
  • Courtney Force
  • Amber Balcaen
  • Sarah Burgess
  • Vonnie Mills
  • Donna Gerstel
  • Jody Perewitz
  • Shanna Snyder
  • Michelle Furr
  • Mia Tedesco
  • Sarah Edwards
  • McKenna Haase
  • Brittany Force
  • Danica Patrick
  • Journee Richardson
  • Afton Swanson
  • Sondra Leslie
  • Sarah Boyce
  • Yvonne Lucas
  • Lexi Fruggiero
  • Laura Landry
  • Megan Meyer
  • Lilian Cacioppo
  • Mali Greenfield

 

 

 

Motorsport Team of the Year 2016

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The Female Motorsport Team of the Year 2016 category received 25 nominations and 54 votes for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.    This category recognizes the team that contributes the most to women in motorsports.    An early front runner set the stage, but another nominee closed the gap for a 2 vote victory.

Female Motorsport Team of the Year 2016 – Randy Meyer Racing

Motorsport Team of the Year 2016Horsepower & Heels is proud to announce the winner of the Women of the Year Female Motorsport Team  of the Year 2016 category – NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster Super Team, Randy Meyer Racing.    Home of Meyer Sister Racing duo Megan Meyer and Rachel Meyer, the family TAD dynasty Randy Meyer Racing began with father Randy and has now debuted rising talent in rookie daughters Megan and Rachel.    The team regularly assists other young developing drivers with licensing and TAD debuts.   

Megan Meyer completed her first full season in the TAD class for 2016, with Rachel Meyer making her TAD debut mid-season.    Both ladies are instrumental behind the scenes as well, crewing and maintaining the family business.   Rachel will make her full-season debut with a new dragster in 2017, and the team plans to continue their winning legacy in the class.

Motorsport Team of the Year 2016 Runner Up – Dream Chaser Racin’

The Harley Pro Fuel team of Janette Thornley, Dream Chaser Racin’ is your Motorsport Team of the Year 2016 Runner-Up for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.

Motorsport Team of the Year 2016 Nominees

  • 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the YearLarsen Motorsports
  • Elite Motorsports
  • Miss Behaving Racing
  • Hellion B Team
  • John Force Racing
  • Alexis DeJoria Racing
  • Melanie Salemi Motorsports
  • BMI Racing
  • Terri Chandler
  • Shannon Giust
  • Love Motorsports
  • Car Chix
  • Kayli Barker Racing
  • Cheryl Hryn Racing
  • Show N Tell Racing
  • Speed Sisters
  • Nancy Matter Motorsports
  • Cars Protection Plus
  • Boyce Racing
  • Sarah Burgess Racing
  • Karri Beebe Racing
  • Mad Mike Molea Racing

Stellar year for NHRA hotshoe Mia Tedesco

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A stellar year for NHRA hotshoe Mia TedescoA stellar year for NHRA hotshoe Mia Tedesco, the NHRA multi-class driver who racked up an impressive collection of hardware at the season closing awards ceremonies.    The 22 year-old Tedesco pulled double-duty all season between her Top Alcohol Dragster and her Super Gas racecars in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series National, Regional and Divisional events.

Three championship titles in one season

The Pittsburgh, PA native became the first female to win the ultra-competitive Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Super Gas World Championship in her CARS Protection Plus/VP Racing Fuels Super Gas Chevrolet.   She captured two wins in Chicago in the class – both the divisional event in June and the subsequent national event win in July.   She also claimed the Division 3 title for Super Gas in the class, making her only the second racer in history to double-up with a National and Division 3 win for the season.  

 ‘Miss Mia’ also piloted her 275 mph CARS Protection Plus/Schepel Motors/NGK/Lucas Oil Top Alcohol Dragster entry to the North Central Regional Championship, while finishing in the Top Ten for the National Top Alcohol Dragster points chase, with a strong No. 8 standing.    She earned three regional wins for the season – Gainesville, St. Louis and Columbus, Ohio.

Driver of the Year Accolades

In addition to her impressive class standings and championships earned, Mia was also named Super Eliminator Driver of the Year, which encompasses drivers from the categories of Super Gas, Super Comp, Super Stock, and Stock.   But the top accolade earned by the NHRA hotshoe was the highly-coveted Person of the Year award in front of a large crowd of her peers, family and friends.

“Getting the Person of the Year award was very cool,” Tedesco said. “I wasn’t expecting it so I was surprised and also very honored to win.”
“We had a big group of us there,” Tedesco said. “It was nice to be able to win and to be able to share it with my family and crew members; none of it happens without their love, support and hard work.”

“It’s great to look back on the season now and see everything we accomplished, but you’re not really thinking about it at the time. You just want to race one round at a time and hope it works out. It worked out pretty well for us this year.”

 

Elaine Larsen receives Dick Moroso Memorial Award

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Elaine Larsen receives Dick Moroso Memorial AwardLarsen Motorsports Jet Dragster Super Team owner and driver, Elaine Larsen, was recently recognized by the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame as the recipient of the annual Dick Moroso Memorial Motorsports Award.

Palm Beach County Sports Hall of FameElaine began her jet drag racing career by earning her license at Moroso Motorsports Park (renamed Palm Beach International Raceway – PBIR) in West Palm Beach, Florida in 2002.   She is a two-time IHRA Jet Dragster World Champion, and the co-founder of the National Jet Racing Association.

She and her husband Chris, have developed and grown a multi-car jet drag racing super team that helps to educate, train and promote S.T.E.M. core curriculums through a new state-of-the-art 30,000 sq. ft. Jet Technology Center.  Partnered with Florida Institute of Technology, the Jet Technology Center helps inspire and teach in the areas of Engineering, Fabrication, Human Factors and Artistry.   Elaine currently has 7 jet drivers in her program, and has launched countless careers of young driving talents, crew chiefs, mechanical engineers and fabrication specialists.

Elaine Larsen receives Dick Moroso Memorial Award 2016

Elaine Larsen receives Dick Moroso Memorial Award at the Annual Palm Beach County Hall of Fame Gala, held March 20, 2016 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

 

The Force behind John Force Racing

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The Force behind John Force Racing
(from the left) Dale Aldo, Mopar; John Force, Laurie Force, Don Garlits (Photo: JFR Racing)

The old saying ‘behind every great man is a even greater woman‘ rings true even in the male-dominated motorsports world.    These women are often the unsung heroines of the sport that silently dedicate just as much of their lives to racing as their successful husbands.     During the recent International Drag Racing Hall of Fame banquet, NHRA Drag Racing’s Laurie Force was recognized for her unsung contributions to the sport.   She was honored with the Pat Garlits Memorial Award presented by Mopar for being the Force behind John Force Racing.

Laurie Force, the wife of 16-time Funny Car champion John Force and mother to NHRA nitro standouts Ashley Force Hood, Brittany Force and Courtney Force, has been a leading matriarch on the drag racing scene for over four decades.  The award recognized Laurie’s presence behind the John Force Racing drag racing dynasty.   Her dedication and passion embodies the spirit of Pat Garlits, and she was commended for remaining the ever-patient wife of 16-time champion John Force.    A special video tribute video produced by Ashley Force Hood was played during the ceremony that included interviews with Ashley, Brittany Force, Courtney Force and John Force on Laurie’s sacrifice and hard work over the last 40 years.

In the early days, Laurie wrote my first contracts, mixed fuel and backed the race car up. She was with me from the beginning and there is no doubt I would not be where I am today without the support and love of Laurie,” said a proud John Force during the ceremony.

History of the Pat Garlits Memorial Award

Named in honor of NHRA Top Fuel legend Don “Big Daddy” Garlits’s late wife, the Pat Garlits Memorial Award was first presented in 2014 to Barbara Hamilton, the first woman licensed by NHRA to drive supercharged cars in 1964.   In 2015, Joan Gwynn was honored for her contributions to the drag racing community as a supportive wife of 57 years to drag racing legend Jerry Gwynn, mother to racer Darrell Gwynn, as well as her charitable work with the Darrell Gwynn Foundation, and especially her involved with the Drag Racing Association of Women (D.R.A.W.) which has helped injured drag racers and their families for more than 30 years.

Pat Garlits passed away in February of 2014. She was beside her husband Don Garlits as he amassed too many awards to count and set more records than any drag racer in history. The legendary racer and innovator claimed that no matter the awards and accolades he received over his career the best day of his life was when he saw Patricia Louise Bieger for the first time in 1952.  The couple was married for over 60 years and Garlits was faithfully by her side until the end of her life.

She loved her man with all her heart, body and soul and never thought of anyone else but him. She was at dad’s side through every win, loss, crash, you name it, she was there,” said daughter Donna in Pat’s moving obituary.

The Force Behind John Force Racing [Video]