Dina Parise Archives – Horsepower & Heels

Female Professional of the Year 2016

January 4, 2017 // by Horsepower & Heels

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

Horsepower & 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

Erica 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

Parise joins forces with Aerospace Components

June 15, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Ladies supporting and working together is one of the most key elements of success for women’s advancement in automotive and motorsports. Recently, two very important women in drag racing have joined forces to align and support one another in the racing industry.

2015 IHRA Crower Pro Modified reigning World Champion, Dina Parise and Aerospace Component’s President, Kim Kussy have just announced a very special mutual partnership for the duration of the 2016 season. Parise joins forces with Aerospace Components on her award-winning Cadillac CTS-V Pro Modified, nicknamed “Stella”.

When Kim (Kussy) and I first met, we hit it off. Two hard working women in this amazing industry both loving every minute of it. What’s not to like, right?”, said Parise of her first meeting with Aerospace Component’s President, CMO and co-founder, Kim Kussy.

With the Dina Parise Racing team’s longstanding history of advocating and supporting our nation’s veteran population and active military, the two ladies shared a mutual passion for our United States Armed Forces. Aerospace Components began as a MIL-Spec certified contractor for government projects, and is proud to employ many veterans in their facility. Parise has campaigned several tribute racecars that help honor and celebrate the sacrifices made by our service men and women. They participate in many events in support of veterans – both publically and privately.

I have always said it’s not about getting to the stripe first,” Parise says. “But the journey you take to get there”.

Since their military roots, Aerospace Components has involved to become a very active supporter of the Drag Racing industry. They are a contingency supporter of the National Mustang Racer’s Association and the National Muscle Car Association, rewarding racers in contingency awards on 5 products (Brakes – Front and Rear); Vacuum Pump, Water Pump, Fuel Pump and Shifter) in all classes and series with Promedia for the past five years. They also sponsor the Aerospace Winner’s Circle for all the Promedia series and events. In addition, Kim works closely with the NHRA to award a very special “ Aerospace Component’s “Excellence in Engineering” Wally award at select national events.

Both Dina and Kim have built a very dedicated and engaged community of fans and customers through their social media outreach efforts, sharing success of their peers and customers.

Dina interacts regularly with fans through special live videos of her time on the road with the rest of the Dina Parise Racing team and other special messages, often touching on important topics she feels passionate about. Kim hosts a video series entitled “Kimmy’s Garage” that teaches and educates consumers about their products, how they are made and installation instructions.

The female racing powerhouse partnership between DPR and Aerospace Components is an exciting new development that both are looking forward to showcasing to the industry. Aerospace Components joins other key supporters of DPR in Eastwood, CRC Auto, NGK, Lucas Oil, Speedwire Systems, Hussey Performance, Hoosier, Motorsports Unlimited and Crank It Media.

Dina Parise at New York International Auto Show

March 29, 2016 // by Horsepower & Heels

Special guest and IHRA Pro Mod driver, Dina Parise will display her championship-winning Cadillac Pro Mod “Stella” at New York International Auto Show 2016. Held at the Jacob Javitz Center, the New York International Auto Show showcases the latest automotive trends, new designs and other automotive innovation.

Dina Parise will showcase her award-winning ‘Stella’ the 3,000HP Pro Mod Cadillac that earned her the 2015 IHRA Pro Mod Championship as part of the Lincoln Technical Institute booth (1E Hall). Parise will be in the booth for photos and autographs on Wednesday, March 30th from 10AM to 12PM.

A regular partner with Dina Parise Racing, Lincoln Tech’s accelerated career training programs help mold the future of students. Their education and training programs cover a large variety of fields in six disciplines: Automotive, Skilled Trades, Business and IT, Cosmetology, Health Sciences, and Culinary.

I am thrilled to be appearing at the New Your Auto show along with Lincoln Tech for many reasons. Their career training programs are second to none,” said Parise. “They believe in pushing people to following their dreams. Lincoln Tech speaks to what people are passionate about, and encourages them to expand on it. That is surely a recipe for success in my book!”

The Lincoln Tech booth is part of the 2016 Automotive Career & Education Fair at the New York International Auto Show. The New York International Auto Show’s Career Fair brings carmakers, suppliers, and advanced automotive training programs together so candidates can learn about careers in the automotive industry.

Parise will also speak at the National Awards Banquet, the awards ceremony that recognizes winners of regional and state contests held to determine the nation’s best automotive students. The winning student teams will be at the NYIAS to represent their state at the national finals. The National Automotive Technology Competition will take place on Tuesday, and winners for the title of The Nation’s Best Automotive Technician selected at the banquet ceremony.

I am honored to have been asked to address these talented students at the Awards Banquet,” said Parise. “I’m looking forward to giving them some insight into my life and how I made my way into the automotive industry. I will convey to them that it was not always an easy road but in the end it was completely worth it! I don’t ever want them to give up.”

Sports Minded | Female Racers

December 27, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Competitiveness is a wonderful thing harnessed by strong, capable ladies in the sports world. Many women in motorsports were also athletes in other sports before they began their racing careers.

These sports minded female racers drew on the experiences they gained in other sports to help them in the racing world.

Sports Minded Female Racers : What sports do/did you play? How did it help you in Motorsports?

Leave us a comment below with your sport and experiences!

Dina Parise on Power Nation TV

December 8, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

IHRA Pro Mod World Champion, Dina Parise is set to appear on an upcoming episode of Power Nation TV with her 3,000 horsepower Pro Mod Cadillac CTS-V “Bella” and husband/crew chief Andrew Parise. Show host Katie Osborne will talk to the newly crowned champion about her transition from Ice Capades star to Drag Racing Champion.

New Sponsors: Lucas Oil and Eastwood Company

Excitement builds for Dina Parise on Power Nation TV as the team recently welcomed new sponsors Lucas Oil and Eastwood Company for the 2016 season, and will be debuting the new additions to the car/team on the show.

Dina Parise IHRA Pro Mod Champ

October 10, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Dina Parise is the new 2015 IHRA Crower Pro Mod World Champion

IHRA Pro Mod competitor Dina Parise sealed up the 2015 IHRA Crower Pro Mod World Championship at the final race of the season, the IHRA World Finals in Memphis, TN. The popular Nitro Jam standout debuted her Cadillac CTSV Pro Mod named ‘Stella’ at the season opener, encountering new car bugs for the first half of the Crower Pro Mod season. After struggling with dialing in the new car and getting comfortable behind the wheel, Dina was able to push through the difficult times and secured the points lead going into the final race. Once there, it was a battle between her and Bill Lutz, but the former figure skating pro would end up sealing up the championship during eliminations.

Congratulations to Dina Parise and team on their new championship!

On the Edge with Dina Parise

September 22, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Former Ice Capades and current IHRA Pro Mod Star Dina Parise sat down on camera for the first Horsepower & Heels VIDEO interview. She talks about her career, the switch from professional ice figure skater to the world of drag racing, her experience in the racing world, and MUCH more!

One of the most colorful female racers out on the drag racing circuit, Dina Parise is one of our favorites! She currently is the Crower Pro Mod class points leader in the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing series.

Learn about Dina and her beautiful 3,000 HP 2013 Cadillac CTSV Pro Mod ‘Stella’

Dina Parise runner-up at IHRA Summer Nationals

June 1, 2015 // by Horsepower & Heels

Pro Modified drag racer, Dina Parise, qualified No. 1 on the way to her first final round appearance of the season at the IHRA Nitro Jam Summer Nationals this weekend in Cordova, Illinois.

The former professional Ice Capades skater-turned racer from New Freedom, Pennsylvania posted a 6.913 second elapsed time at 154.35 mph to secure the No. 1 qualified position in the Crower Pro Mod class on Friday in her blown 2013 Dian Parise Racing Cadillac CTS-V, a car she endearingly nicknamed ‘Stella’. Dina and her team debuted the Cadillac at the Bradenton IHRA event in April and have been working out all the new-car bugs since, with steady improvements.

Rain delay gives Dina Parise Competition Bye into the Final

On Saturday, rain hit Cordova International Raceway, cancelling the scheduled Saturday eliminations, and forcing racers and fans to stay over into Sunday. Because of a short field in the Crower Pro Mod class, Dina would take the tree for a competition-bye right into the Final round. She would face the 1970 Camaro of Ruben Tetshovili for the event title. Tetshovili would leave first, and stay out front for the win, defeating Dina’s 7.560 second elapsed time at 134.55 mph with a 6.963 second, 163.16 mph timeslip.

Dina is currently 5th in the Crower Pro Mod for the IHRA Nitro Jam championship points chase.