Photo Credit: Darryl Smith
Anna Chatten is a 36 year old new mother and also a mechanic at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Anna is one of the very few females who is a mechanic at the Indy Car Level. The inspiration to become a mechanic came from when Anna was little. When Anna was little and wanted to race go-karts her father told her she would have to do all of her own engine work. Once Anna became 18, she knew she wanted to be a mechanic instead of a racer. So Anna decided to go to school in Northern California.
At the track, Anna is in charge of the transmission gearbox on the No. 24 Dreyer and Reinbold car. Even though women weren’t allowed in the pits until 1971, Anna became the first women to go over the wall into the pit area in 2009. Even though Anna has had an amazing time being in the pit, she is going back to the other side of the wall. As a new mother, Chatten doesn’t want to take the risk and feels she does not quite move as fast as used to. When asked who fixes the cars that Anna and her Husband own, Anna answers that she fixes the cars because “we don’t let engineers touch the tools.” (indianapolismonthly.com)
Article Submitted by Car Chix Contributor: Beba
