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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!

Female Professional of the Year 2016

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The Female Professional of the Year 2016 category was the most hotly contested race in this year’s award program.   The category received 34 nominations and 209 votes for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.      This year, two automotive industry professionals battled it out for the top spot, and a late rally determined your Professional of the Year for 2016.

Professional of the Year 2016 – Courtney Lambert

Courtney LambertHorsepower & Heels is proud to announce the winner of the Female Professional of the Year 2016 – motorcycle industry staple, Courtney Lambert!

An always smiling, familiar face in the motorcycle industry, Courtney Lambert stays entrenched in all things two-wheels.   Whether you find her traveling the roads avoiding mayhem with Allstate, behind the counter at Kory Souza Originals, or over the airwaves on her very own radio show, she knows only one pace in life, Wide Open.   Her busy schedule takes her across the country, to bike weeks and rallies as a Allstate Insurance spokesperson doing stage shows and emceeing national events.   

Courtney began hosting her own talk radio show about motorcycles called Wide Open Radio in 2010, and regularly features motorcycle industry talent and icons to the show.     Courtney also manages the frontend of Kory Souza Originals, taking care of all the phone calls, billing, foot traffic, marketing, events, product releases and some of the sales for her other half – custom builder, Kory Souza.   

Professional of the Year 2016 Runner Up –  Jessica Kennedy

Shotgun Shocks Go-To Girl, Jessica Kennedy, is your Professional of the Year 2016 Runner-up for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.

Professional of the Year 2016 Nominees

  • 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the YearErica Enders
  • Janette Thornley
  • Sarah Burgess
  • Leah Pritchett
  • Heather Carter
  • Elaine Larsen
  • Courtney Force
  • Kayli Barker
  • Alexis DeJoria
  • Shannon Giust
  • Alex Rogeo
  • Terri Chandler
  • Dina Parise
  • Sarah Edwards
  • Angelle Sampey
  • Melanie Salemi
  • Sara Price
  • Danica Patrick
  • Ellen Eschenbacher
  • Mia Tedesco
  • Lizzy Musi
  • Christy Miller
  • Megan Meyer
  • Valerie Clemens
  • Aileen Collins-Love
  • Elisa Coon
  • Cheryl Hyrn
  • Ashley Force-Hood
  • Annie Whiteley
  • Brittany Force
  • Annette Bauer

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

 

 

 

Crewmember of the Year 2016

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The Female Crewmember of the Year 2016 category received 27 nominations and 67 votes for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.    There were several lead changes throughout the 8 day voting period, but your winner pulled ahead by just 2 votes at the wire.

Crewmember of the Year 2016Crewmember of the Year 2016 –  Shelley Molea

Horsepower & Heels is proud to announce the winner of the Female Crewmember of the Year 2016 category – Nostalgia Drag Racing Crew Chief, Shelley Molea!   Serving as crew chief on the popular Nostalgia Drag Racing entry of Mad Mike Molea, the family-owned operation out of Grants Pass, Oregon, Shelley Molea works hard with all the crew duties on their beautiful, 1933 Willys Blown Alcohol Gasser entry.  

Shelley MoleaThe popular team recently took the win for the AA/Supercharged class at the 25th Annual California HotRod Reunion event at Auto Club Famoso Raceway this past October.    This feat was accomplished after an amazing recovery from an on-track accident a month before, that left the team scrambling to repair the extensive crash damage and make a comeback before the season-highlighting Hotrod Reunion event.   Not only did Mike, Shelley and the rest of the team get the car back together in time for the race, but they landed in the winner circle for the prestigious reunion event.   

Regularly featured on magazine covers, and a crowd favorite, the “Mad Mike” Willys looks better than ever, and Shelley can always be found out front, helping guide Mike through the burnout and into the beams – as well as busy in the pits between rounds.

Runner Up –  Cassie Simonton

Multi-talented drag racing driver/wrench, Cassie Simonton was your Crewmember of the Year 2016 Runner-Up for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.

Crewmember of the Year 2016 Nominees

  • Tinzy Aronson
  • Sarah Burgess2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year
  • Janette Thornley
  • Paige Sanchez
  • Melissa Urist
  • Judy Franklin
  • Shannon Giust
  • Cheryl Hyrn
  • Bunny Burkett
  • Kaylnn Simmons
  • Rachel Meyer
  • Jessica Mace
  • Shayne Fisher
  • Leeza Diehl
  • Kayli Barker
  • Tiffany Mills
  • Krista Elyse
  • Leeza Diehl
  • Heather Capano
  • Megan Meyer
  • Natasha Cherchuk
  • Randi Lyn Shipp
  • Kristi Shipp
  • Candace Williams

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

2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards

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2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the YearIt’s time for the 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards!   The second 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.

2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards Categories

The 2nd annual 2016 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 the 2015 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Winners

Voting is open now through December 29, 2016 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, 2016 and posted on this website.

Vote NOW | 2016 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards

Trouble viewing? Click here to submit your vote.

2015 Women of the Year Award WINNERS

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Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year2015 may go on record as one of the most successful years for women in motorsports!   Ladies in the pits, on the track, and in the boardrooms were all making big moves and celebrating amazing milestone victories.

The first-ever 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 motorsports.

Over 915 ballots were cast in 10 days, 2,611 votes were counted, nominating 378 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……

2015 Women of the Year Awards – Horsepower & Heels

Female Rookie of the Year 2015

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The Female Rookie of the Year category received 40 nominations and 268 votes for the Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.    Voting was neck and neck throughout the 10 day voting period, but a late rally helped push ahead the leader by almost 10%.

2o15 Female Rookie of the Year – Haley James

2015 Rookie of the Year Haley JamesHorsepower & Heels is proud to announce the winner of the 2015 Women of the Year Female Rookie category – NMRA Coyote Modified racer, Haley James!

Her first ever pass in the car came just a day before her racing debut, but that didn’t slow down the 19 year-old New Mexico resident and recent high school graduate.

In her first ever heads-up competition season, Haley James not only won 3 out of 6 events, but appeared in all of the final rounds.   She captured the Coyote Modified 2015 class championship and was named NMRA’s Rookie of the Year.

2015 Rookie of the YearRunner Up –  Heather Carter

Florida Drag Racer, Heather Carter was your Rookie of the Year Runner-Up for the 2015 Horsepower & Heels Women of the Year Awards.

Female Rookie of the Year Nominees

  • Jenna Haddock
  • Jamie Elrod
  • Melanie Salemi
  • Leah Pritchett
  • Janette Thornley
  • Michele Abbate
  • Emily ShapiroHorsepower & Heels Women of the Year
  • Leilani Tindall
  • Megan Meyer
  • Kayli Barker
  • Cassie Simonton
  • Alex Taylor
  • Journee Richardson
  • Cassie Gannis
  • Sarah Cornett-Ching
  • Audrey Worm
  • Ashley Sanford
  • Amy Tate
  • Kat Moller
  • Nellie Kitterman
  • Harli White
  • Macy Causey
  • Heather Capano
  • Natalie Decker
  • Allison West
  • Madelyn Marconi
  • Madyson Mulligan
  • Tiana Berkeley
  • Sarah Burgess
  • Mia Tedesco
  • Kelly Dill
  • Yvonne Grace Potter
  • Shea Holbrook
  • Samira Rached
  • Elvira Karlsson
  • Tatiana Calderon
  • Tera Wendland