Shift Women Racing: Opening the Door to Grassroots Endurance Racing
A Pro-Am women’s team is heading to Barber Motorsports Park for a Lucky Dog Racing League weekend to show what it really takes to go racing; from prep and safety gear to pit strategy and community.
Why Shift Women Racing Exists
Shift Women Racing is built to shine a light on the grassroots and sportsman level motorsports to show, in a practical and honest way, what it takes to get started, get seat time, and become competitive. The goal is simple: make wheel to wheel racing feel less intimidating and more achievable for more women, while keeping the tone true to what these events are really like; serious about safety, being competitive on track, and genuinely having fun in the paddock.
For the first time, Shift Women be bringing together 6 women drivers of various experience levels and an all women pit crew to tackle an endurance race together at Barber Motorsports Park. Drivers range from novice to pro, with each of these ladies coming from a different aspect of the automotive industry and/or racing disiplines. We have representatives from motorsports engineering, sim racing, karting, motorcycle racing, rally, autocross, HPDE, seasoned pit crew (but new to driving), wrenchers, builders and restorers along with marketers and motorsports support staff. The intent of this project is to show that drivers can come from anywhere and be successful with the right training, support and a competitive car.
We felt that Lucky Dog Racing League was the perfect partner for this project, given that the series is not only woman run but also an excellent organization for safe and competitive racing. We could not do this without their support.
The goal is to create an environment where each teammate both teaches and learns from the others. We would love to see more women plug in all across grassroots motorsports, and when this platform proves itself successful, bring in a new class of drivers and crew next year.
The featured event: Lucky Dog Racing League at Barber
Although there will be a lot of behind the scenes training, practice and coaching, the team will compete in its first race with Lucky Dog Racing League (LDRL) at the end of 2026. This is an ideal event because it balances real competitiveness with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. It will provide great competition but without the drivers needing to get a specific competition license or abide by an enormous set of rules. The specific event is the “Dawgs On the Hunt” race, December 12–13 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. Here’s what the weekend looks like: 6.5 hours of racing on Saturday and 6.5 hours on Sunday, plus a 40-minute practice and qualifying session on Saturday and a 1-hour “church break” on Sunday. During the race, pit stops are a mandatory five minutes, and the team will have four pit-crew members on hand to support driver changes and fueling. Each driver stint will be between 1.5 and 2 hours
The Pro-Am approach: building confidence and capability
The team is designed as “Pro-Am” and includes women with significant experience across multiple series on one end of the spectrum, and drivers who are competing for the first time on the other. The target roster was 1 Pro level and one very experienced driver, two intermediate drivers, and two novices—plus four non-driving pit-crew spots for women who have interest in learning how to compete. One experienced participant will serve as crew chief, managing strategy, assessing driver readiness, assigning driver order and ensuring the team is operating safely. Our Pro level driver will be on hand to help shape the team and help everyone level up their skills. We seriously can’t wait to tell you more about our drivers and crew- these ladies are amazing, all of them.
The car and the people behind it
The team will be furnished with a Miata from Edmonson Motorsports, who will also provide support throughout the weekend. This will allow the drivers and pit crew to focus on execution without worrying about car optimization or trackside repairs. We feel particularly fortunate to get to partner with this group. Their love for motorsports is strong, only outpaced by their love of the community.
“At Edmonson Motorsports, our mission is to bring passion, precision, and teamwork to endurance racing. As an actively competing team, we are dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and competitive environment where drivers of all levels can grow, learn, and push each other to their limits. Through driver development, team management, and the spirit of sportsmanship, we aim to build a community that celebrates endurance racing not only as a competition, but as a shared experience with teammates, fellow racers, and fans alike.”
That shared experience mindset is the backbone of the weekend: the goal isn’t just to finish the race, but to bring more women into the paddock with the skills and confidence to keep coming back.
Sponsors
Like any other race team, this one doesn’t exist without sponsor support. We are so grateful not only for the great car we’re being provided from Edmonson Motorsports, but the experience and competency that comes with them that we certainly couldn’t afford without their generosity. Anyone looking to do any grassroots level arive and drive would be fortunate to get to work with these guys. Learn more HERE.
Lucky Dog Racing League has been a supporter of Shift Women initiatives from the very beginning. They stood by us while we tried to figure out our approach and tried things that may or may not have worked. We’re so thrilled to be able to partner with them for this endeavor and so appreciate their dedication to bringing more women into the fold. If you’re looking for a series to race with, you’d be hard pressed to find better than this. Learn more HERE.
Street and track car specialist insurance brokers, Traction Insurance has been a fierce supporter of women in motorsports. Their financial contribution has secured the most important components of this project and given us the resources we needed for our training programs. They are a crucial component to all of this. If you’re looking for coverage for your car or trailer (whether street legal or not!), give these guys a call. They can help you both on and off the track. Learn more HERE.
Just Track It will be providing drivers access to some of their instructors as well as track time during their HPDE’s to make sure that, the newer drivers in particular, have the seat time that they need to be confident on the track. This organization has been dedicated to helping more women get on the track through their “Ladies Intro to Track Days” program. Making access more comfortable and affordable has been a winning format and has helped get women off the sidelines and into the driver’s seat. Learn more HERE.
The Drivers
More information coming soon!
About Shift Women
Shift Women is a non profit community organization with a mission to help women of all experience levels explore, spectate, participate and compete in motorsports. We want to bring more women into this space by helping those new to the sport understand, connect, try, and grow, and by helping women already in this space acquire the skills and confidence they need to level up.
