RACETRACKS
Representatives for Women in Motorsports North America include the following individuals:
Michelle Armbruster
Speedway Motorsports, Texas Motor Speedway - Sr. Manager of Client Services
Hometown | Residence:
Emory, TX | Emory, TX
First Year in Racing: 1998
Greatest Accomplishment:
Duck Commander 500
Advice:
Always remember that you must walk in others shoes to fully understand what they do and the pressures they are under.
Tami Bandimere
President, Bandimere Speedway
Hometown | Residence:
Morrison, CO | Littleton, CO
First Year in Racing: 1962
Greatest Accomplishment:
Race to Read Program for elementary students.
Advice:
Life is all about highs and lows – enjoy the freedom of the highs and learn strength from the lows.
Julie Bennett
Bristol Motor Speedway, LLC Vice President and General Counsel
Hometown | Residence:
Kingsport, TN | Kingsport, TN
First Year in Racing: 2007
Greatest Accomplishment:
Being part of the leadership team that brought the Battle at Bristol (world’s largest college football game) to fruition at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Advice:
Always put people first.
Ellie Burkhart
Charlotte Motor Speedway Administrative Assistant
Hometown | Residence:
Greensburg, IN | Charlotte, NC
First Year in Racing: 2018
Greatest Accomplishment:
Playing a big role in the All-Star Race at the historical North Wilkesboro Speedway.
Advice:
Everything happens for a reason – don’t stress!
Gail Cunningham
Sonoma Raceway, Operations Manager & Fire Chief
Hometown | Residence:
Roseville, CA | Vallejo, CA
First Year in Racing: 2012
Greatest Accomplishment:
Starting out as a volunteer and working myself into a leadership position at our racetrack.
Advice:
To finish first, you must first finish.
Suzi Elliott
Penske Entertainment, Senior Manager of Media Relations
Hometown | Residence:
Cincinnati, Ohio | Indiana
First Year in Racing: 2005
Greatest Accomplishment:
Assisting in planning and executing the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500.
Advice:
Hard work and perseverance are two keys to success.
- WIMNA Working Group
Jessica Fickenscher
EVP and Chief Experience Officer at Speedway Motorsports
Hometown | Residence:
Newfield, NJ | Davidson, NC
First Year in Racing: 1997
Greatest Accomplishment:
Becoming the 1st C level female in our organization
Advice:
Don’t sell yourself short, drive fast and take chances!
- WIMNA Working Group
Julie Giese
President, Chicago Street Race
Hometown | Residence:
Colby, WI | Peoria, AZ
First Year in Racing: 2001
Greatest Accomplishment:
Becoming only the second female track president
Advice:
Raise your hand. Be your own biggest advocate for your career growth and development.
- WIMNA Working Group
Jill Gregory
EVP & General Manager, Sonoma Raceway
Hometown | Residence:
Modesto, CA | Sonoma, CA
First Year in Racing: 1998
Greatest Accomplishment:
Being part of the NASCAR team during a chaotic 2020 season when NASCAR took a stand on social justice and returned racing without and with fans during the pandemic.
Advice:
Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity to participate/contribute. Be confident and jump in and see where something goes!
- WIMNA Working Group
Kellie Leeman
IMS Senior Director of Ticket Sales & Service
Hometown | Residence:
Caribou, ME | Carmel, IN
First Year in Racing: 2016
Greatest Accomplishment:
Re-seating customers for the 2021 Indy 500 Race to adhere to the 40% capacity limit.
Advice:
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. – Maya Angelou
Alicia Marie Massie
Atlanta Motorsports Park, Director of Events
Hometown | Residence:
Herford, Germany | Dawsonville, GA
First Year in Racing: 2009
Greatest Accomplishment:
Bringing my hospitality industry event planning and execution knowledge to a motorsports country club to elevate customer experience.
Advice:
Always do your best.
Michelle Lackey Maynor
Owner & President, Alaska Raceway Park
Hometown | Residence:
Wasilla, AK | Palmer, AK
First Year in Racing: 1986
Greatest Accomplishment:
Owning a motorsports complex.
Advice:
In driving and in life, only back up as much as necessary to move forward in the direction you need to go.
- WIMNA Working Group
Monica Mulcahy
Speedway Motorsports, Senior Director, Business Development
Hometown | Residence:
Manhattan Beach, CA | Dallas, TX
First Year in Racing: 2021
Greatest Accomplishment:
Being a mentor.
Advice:
Everything always works out for the best.
Connie Nyholm
VIRginia International Raceway, Co-owner & CEO
Hometown | Residence:
Martinsville, VA | Alton, VA
First Year in Racing: 1998
Greatest Accomplishment:
Resurrecting VIR.
Advice:
I surround myself with people who are better than I am at what they do.
- WIMNA Working Group
Emily Riess
Lime Rock Park - Director, Events & Experience
Hometown | Residence:
Compton, RI | Lakeville, CT
First Year in Racing: 2015
Greatest Accomplishment:
Leaving a career in healthcare to follow a passion and take on a career in motorsports.
Advice:
Proper preparation prevents poor performance!
- WIMNA Working Group
Karen Sue Strawder
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Contract Administrator
Hometown | Residence:
Indianapolis, IN | Indianapolis, IN
First Year in Racing: 1995
Greatest Accomplishment:
Nearly 30 yrs on the job.
Advice:
Sweat the small stuff and the big stuff will fall into place.