Please join us in welcoming Christy Penrod to Team Car Chix — Ms. August in the 2018 Car Chix Calendar. Christy Penrod placed in the top 12 of the 2017 Women of Motorsports Contest (Read: Record Breaking Women of Motorsports Contest Takes Over the Internet), earning her spot as Ms. January in the American Machine Tools sponsored month of the 2018 Car Chix Calendar.
CHRISTY PENROD BIO
PROFESSION: Student: Currently majoring in Neuroscience and was just accepted into medical school. Hoping to get a surgical residency in the future. I work right now as a Patient Care Tech in the ICU unit of Hinsdale Hospital.
YOUR VEHICLES (in photo): #42 Howe Ford Fusion
MOTOR/SPECS: Ford Crate
RACING CLASS/TEAM/DIVISION: Late Model
HOMETOWN: Burr Ridge, IL
HOMETRACK: Grundy County Speedway, Morris IL
PERSONAL WEBSITE/FANPAGE: facebook.com/penrodracing
CLUBS/AFFLIATIONS/SPONSORS: Chicago U-Pic-A-Part, G&T Enterprises, Mahoney Enterprises, Towing Express, Image FX, JV Automotive, Cabin 7 Promotions
ACCOMPLISHMENTS/ACHIEVEMENTS: 2013 Street Stock Rookie of the Year. 2015 Street Stock Champion, Made history as first female to win a championship at Grundy County Speedway. 2016 2nd Place in points for Street Stock. 2015 Best Looking Car award. 2014, 2016, 2017 Most Popular Driver. 2017 Late Model Rookie of the Year. 2017 5th in Late Model points.
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Being my first year in late models, I was able to learn quite a bit. I completed the season without a single DNF. I competed in two 100 lap races, including the widely known Bettenhausen 100. I had a top 5 finish. I was voted 2017 Most Popular Driver, beating out veteran drivers such as Eddie Hoffman and Larry Schuler.
FAVORITE QUOTE/SAYING: “Work Hard, Stay Humble”
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH AUTOMOBILES/MOTORSPORTS: My dad used to drive race cars back when Santa Fe and Raceway Park were open. We actually live about two miles away from where Santa Fe used to be. My mom didn’t want him to keep racing once my brother and I were born due to the dangers, so he decided to live vicariously through us. At the age of 5, I began racing go-karts and fell in love with the sport. My brother and I began in open karts on an asphalt course. However, we ended up switching to caged karts and raced on clay oval tracks. I did that until I was about 14 years old. In that time, I traveled the midwest with the Burris Thunder Tour. I won a couple championships. At 15, my dad offered me the opportunity to build and race a street stock. I was ecstatic. So, we bought an old, very worn, street stock and tour it down to the chassis to rebuild. It was a great accomplishment to have been able to build my championship car with my dad.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH AUTOMOBILES/MOTORSPORTS: My entire life, but as far as racing myself, since I was 5 years old. So, roughly 15 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT AUTOMOBILES/MOTORSPORTS: I am an adrenaline junky. Being inside a car is my happy place. I feel calm even though my heart is racing. I love having to be on my A-game every lap. But, I also love the racing community. Almost everyone is willing to lend a hand and support each other.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST CAR/RACING/MOTORSPORTS RELATED MEMORY: Honestly, there are too many to chose. But I would have to say the moment I crossed the start/finish line taking the checkered and clenching in my championship. I pulled up to the wall where my crew was standing and did a gnarly burn out. They were screaming and jumping and we were all so excited!
WHAT IS YOUR WORST CAR/RACING/MOTORSPORTS RELATED MEMORY: To be honest, I don’t exactly have one. I have been fortunate enough to not be in any crazy wrecks or flips. Other than the occasional being taken out, I have mostly good memories in my car.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR NEXT SEASON: We are going to continue racing the Late Model at our home track and hopefully compete in some CRA Jegs Tour races. We are looking to keep improving the car and my driving abilities.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR REACHING YOUR GOALS: Like every racer, money plays a big part in determining how your season will go. I am fortunate enough to have very loyal sponsors who have helped me grow the last couple years. But, I am always looking to build new partnerships. I wouldn’t say being a girl in motorsports is a challenge, but I think the boys think we are incompetent and that’s why we are here to prove them wrong.
ANY BIG MODS OR BUILDS GOING ON DURING THE OFF SEASON: We just found out our motor is 7 years old and hasn’t been freshened up so we plan on doing something about that. We aren’t sure if we are going to just buy a new one or refresh the one we have. We also will be testing new set-ups with suspension.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER HOBBIES OR PASSIONS: As a student, I don’t have much time between school, racing, and work. However, medicine is my passion. I am always researching and absorbing anything to do with medicine.
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP SONGS FOR WHEN YOU ARE DOING CARS THINGS / RACING: Normally my dad has 101.1 Alternative music playing in the garage. But before a race I like to listen to anything with an upbeat tone, it normally ends up being a rap song.
IF YOU GOT A MILLION DOLLARS TOMORROW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT?: The first thing I would do is pay off school, so I wouldn’t have to worry about that. Then, I would pay off my parents house and buy my own with a very nice race shop. I would probably buy some more race cars but save the rest for a rainy day.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE BLOGS, WEBSITES OR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES THAT YOU FOLLOW? I think Kenny Wallace has the funniest page with his videos. Other than a large amount of racers, I follow many surgical and medical pages.
ADVICE TO OTHER WOMEN IN MOTORSPORTS OR WOMEN INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED IN MOTORSPORTS: Anything men can do, woman can do better. Once that helmet goes on, you are just another racer.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE CAR CHIX COMMUNITY: Who run the world? Girls.
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PHOTO CREDITS (provided by feature): Goodaker Photography
