Women in Motorsports North America’s, Women with Drive – Driven by Mobil 1 Summit IV proves to be an “ACE” among Conferences

INDIANAPOLIS — In a city built on racing legacy, the future of motorsports took center stage as more than 600 combined women and men from thirty-eight states and eight different countries gathered for the largest-ever Women with Drive – Driven by Mobil 1 summit, the premier event for Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA). Hosted by the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show in Indianapolis, the sold-out, three-day event united industry leaders, professional drivers, and aspiring talent in a shared mission to push the boundaries of what’s possible for women in motorsports.

WIMNA’s core elements to Advance, Connect and Enable female motorsports employment were activated through multiple means at the Summit.  The largest in its four-year history, the Summit kicked off on Monday with an exclusive tour of the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), Rahal Letterman Lanigan, Andretti Global, and Ganassi Race shops. The tour offered attendees a behind-the-scenes look at these iconic venues, setting the stage for two days of impactful discussions and groundbreaking initiatives.

This year’s summit attendees featured 44 female drivers and 52 female students representing 27 universities across the United States. Panel discussions, breakout sessions, and keynotes created an electrifying environment where knowledge sharing and networking fueled new opportunities for collaboration and career advancement.

“Sometimes you don’t know when you’re going to do something again and again if it’s going to have the same magic. Is it going to have the energy? Is it going to have the same impact? Those are all questions you can’t get answered until you have it,” said WIMNA Co-Founder Lyn St. James. “We just finished our fourth Summit, and guess what? It was amazing; there was more energy, there was more impact, there was more positivity, and there were even more reasons for us to keep doing this. The Summit is all about Advancing, Connecting, and Enabling, and that’s what we’re doing, and that’s why this event is needed. The Women with Drive IV – Driven by Mobil 1 summit validated all those things.”

“Launching WIMNA with Lyn and watching it grow has been a highlight of my career so far, said WIMNA Co-Founder Beth Paretta. “The annual Women with Drive Summit is a time for us to connect, learn, and reset for the season ahead. It has been particularly rewarding to meet young women at our WIMNA events throughout the year, and then see them again at the summit. We are grateful to PRI, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Mobil 1 and all our committed partners and supporters who share our mission that by investing in women, we are investing in the future of our sport.”

Fueling Progress Through Partnership

The event’s success would not have been possible without the support of our Women with Drive partners like Mobil 1, Gainbridge, AdventHealth, Penske Entertainment, Bosch, Hagerty, Racing Force Group, MAVTV and many more prestigious companies who support the Summit but also are contributors to WIMNA and its mission. Their involvement went beyond financial support—representatives participated as panelists, mentors, and workshop leaders, sharing real-world insights on breaking into the motorsports industry, securing sponsorships, and navigating competitive racing careers.

“The Women with Drive IV – Driven by Mobil 1 summit exceeded our expectations,” said WIMNA Executive Director Cindy Sisson. “But, most importantly, we reached our goal of 600 attendees celebrating women in motorsports. Indianapolis is the Racing Capital of the World and our support from IMS and PRI has been unmatched.”

Empowering Panels, Breakout Sessions, and High-Impact Speakers

The Summit featured an impressive lineup of 67 speakers and panelists, who led eight insightful panel discussions and nine breakout sessions. Topics ranged from crisis communications to fostering diversity in the workplace and equipping attendees with actionable strategies to drive meaningful change in their organizations.

The Keynote speaker was Michael Metcalf, Co-Founder of Diversity.Efficiency.Culture.Kindness. (D.E.C.K.) Leadership and Co-Author of “12 Second Culture.” Metcalf focused on his experiences in NASCAR to relay how the community can help increase opportunities for a wider population in the future. The former pit-stop coach explained some of the challenges he endured while working in the NASCAR industry and how he overcame those challenges to succeed in the workplace.

“My favorite element of the Summit is our panel discussions,” said St. James. “They are incredibly relevant, and our panelists and speakers are so generous in sharing their best practices, vulnerabilities, and successes with an audience of over 600 people. Not everyone is willing to open up about their challenges or their triumphs. Listening to this diverse group of speakers and panelists offer their insights sparks inspiration and creates a space for real, honest conversations about what it takes to succeed in this industry.”

Recognizing Outstanding Achievements

A memorable highlight of the event was unveiling a coloring book, If You See Her, You Can Be Her, created by 17-year-old Camaelia Barnes. The book celebrates female role models in motorsports, encouraging young girls to dream big and envision their place in the industry. In recognition of her creativity and dedication, Barnes was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the David B. Falk College to support her continued art education.

“I had so many favorite moments from the event, with one of my favorites being Camaelia launching her coloring book,” said Sisson. “This talented and sweet young woman and I worked many hours on the book leading up to this Summit. Yes, we had great partners and speakers, but highlighting the talent of a 17-year-old female is what this event is all about. She’s the future generation. You can download a digital or printed copy of the coloring book – Click here.

Another major moment announcing the winners of the Accelerate Her 2024 Contingency Program, presented by Busch Light, which awarded $200,000 in scholarships to empower female NASCAR drivers (over 21) and advance their racing careers. Amber Balcean received the top prize of $125,000, Jennifer Hall received $50,000, and Erin Aiken claimed $25,000. These scholarships will directly impact their 2025 racing seasons, supporting their continued growth and success in motorsports.

Victoria Martínez Muela, Founder of Path to the Pits, was honored with the 2024 SHEro Award presented by Jostens and AdventHealth. This prestigious award celebrates above and beyond achievements of women in motorsports who inspire the next generation to break barriers and pursue their dreams.

A Legacy Worth Toasting

The Summit’s emotional high point came on its final day, when attendees gathered for a special tribute honoring Lyn St. James, celebrating her 50 years in the industry. A surprise video recognized St. James’ trailblazing career as a driver, advocate, and mentor.

“Celebrating my 50th year in racing with a room full of men and women in motorsports is something I’ll never forget,” said St. James, visibly moved by the tribute. “To look back on five decades of racing, the highs, the lows, the challenges, and triumphs, it all comes together in a moment like this. It’s surreal to think of how much the sport has changed and how I’ve had the privilege to contribute to that evolution. It is more than just a recognition of my career. It’s a reminder of the incredible people I’ve met, the lessons I’ve learned, and the many who have supported me along the way. I’ll carry that with me for the rest of my life to see how far we’ve come as a community and to know that I have played a small part in that. This moment is truly special, and I’ll cherish it forever.”

Looking Ahead

As the last panel concluded and connections were cemented, the collective energy in the room was undeniable. A closing champagne toast, hosted by FOX Sports, celebrated the conversations that had taken place, the collaborations and connections that had been forged and the promise for a bright future in the industry. With its largest turnout to date and unprecedented partner engagement, the Women with Drive IV – Driven by Mobil 1 summit solidified its position as a defining event in the global motorsport calendar. Plans for next year’s Summit are already underway, with organizers promising even more expansive opportunities, international collaborations, and workshops aimed at driving the industry forward—faster, bolder, and together.

For those missing this year’s Summit or those wanting to relive special moments, MAVTV will broadcast a Women with Drive – Driven by Mobil 1 Summit IV special on February 14, 21 and 26 at 10:00 pm EST.

For more information about Women in Motorsports North America and its initiatives, visit www.womeninmotorsportna.com