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If you think NASCAR is just for uneducated, “beer-chuggin’” redneck men, then you don’t know NASCAR or the women who are shaping its future. In fact, NASCAR claims the highest share of female fans out of any sports audience: 37 percent. But despite these trends, female drivers, pit crew and engineers are still few and far between, with several notable exceptions.
As the only female Team Owner and Driver in NASCAR, Jennifer Jo Cobb decided it was time to stop taking directions from other small team owners who expected her to “start and park.” Instead, she is taking control of her own racing career. This inspirational woman founded Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing and competes in the #10 truck in the NASCAR World Camping Truck Series.
“There is such an attitude of entitlement that people should be ‘given’ chances to do what they love, and I don’t believe in leaving my future to chance,” explains Cobb. “By owning my team, I can somewhat create my own destiny. Instead of handing my sponsor’s money over to other small teams and not knowing how it was being spent, I decided it would be best to form my own race team and create my own opportunities.”
The strategy seems to be working. The race car driver’s accolades keep growing, including “highest finishing female driver in the overall points for a season (2010); highest finish by a female driver in the series (6th place, 2011); most starts by a female driver in the series (50+ 2012) and … highest place finish in a race event by a woman in any NASCAR series at the famous Daytona International Speedway” according to her website.
But despite all her success, Cobb still struggles to keep her team competitive and race-ready compared to well-funded giants that can afford to spend upwards of $35,000 per race. She tells NASCAR Illustrated that Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing makes it work by purchasing used tires from heavily-sponsored teams (that get replaced after every race) and driving instead of flying to the track.
“Our goal is to steadily progress and grow. We have survived many setbacks, and I am hungry to see us thrive instead of survive. It’s time,” says Jennifer Jo Cobb. “I consider my Crew Chief, Steve Kuykendall, a partner in this endeavor. He helps me overcome many of these [day-to-day challenges] that arise, but I never fully get to focus on driving. I am pulled in many directions handling the nuances of the team.”
Along with the demands of team ownership, however, Cobb makes the most of opportunities to give back and invest in young women’s talents. Earlier this year, 21-year-old Claire Decker made her NASCAR debut start in the No. 10 Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing Chevrolet, while Cobb cheered her on as both the owner and a mentor.
“I think it’s important for anyone, at any career, to mentor. A long time ago someone helped me and told me to pay it forward, and I have tried to do that ever since. There is a basic rule in life that to ‘get’ you must give. I don’t think I could ever give enough for all the grace and mercy God has given me,” she explains.
Among her efforts to pay it forward is her not-for-profit foundation, Driven2Honor, which she created to “honor, inspire and empower” our nation’s military women. Through Driven2Honor, Jennifer Jo Cobb has hosted hundreds of female military members for VIP experiences at the racetrack and provided financial assistance to organizations that support homeless veterans. Cobb hopes that spotlighting these military women motivates the next generation of women to fearlessly pursue their own career goals.
“It’s not just about honoring these female military members: I want to inspire young female students that any career path is possible. I don’t think a lot of young girls consider the military. It could be a great path to college and career opportunities that these young women would not otherwise have,” says Cobb. “I always wanted to be a Marine, but I raced instead.”
It turns out Jennifer Jo Cobb shares something in common with female marines: they tend to stand out in the crowd. Surrounded by predominantly male drivers, Cobb feels that being a female race car driver brings extra attention to her team – both positive and negative. In an interview with Beyond the Flag, she laments: “There are so many other drivers struggling for success but I feel like they can learn and grow more quietly … Sometimes I have days when I just want to be left alone to go do my best and if I fail, to be able to do it quietly. That is not an option though – everything we do is highlighted.”
This pressure has real consequences. Earlier this year, Jennifer Jo Cobb received the opportunity for her first start in the Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR’s top level circuit. She turned it down.
“I told the team owner that if I could do it anonymously then I would in a heartbeat, but I was not quite ready for the attention that having that first Cup start would bring,” explains Cobb. “Someday soon… but not just quite yet.”
We’ll be watching Jennifer Jo Cobb – just like everyone else in NASCAR – and look forward to cheering this inspirational woman on in a Cup start someday very soon.
