Women in Motorsport: Kayli Barker

Today we highlight an American racing icon, Kayli Barker. She has been watching racing her entire life and loves a good challenge. She drives a Modified and a Super Late Model 2 NASCAR with passion. She is currently the only female driver to win a NASCAR Super Late Model Race at Bullring, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. We sent her some questions about herself and her career, here are her answers.

How did you get started in racing?

“My dad used to race so I spent all of my childhood in the shop helping him. My passion for racing developed early on in my life.”

Who inspired you to start racing?

“My dad.”

What challenges have you faced as a woman trying to find your way in the sport?

“I have been in a couple of situations where my competitors looked down on me because I was a young female competing against them. There was a time when I had just turned fourteen and was competing in my second Street Stock race and there were a few guys saying that I should not be allowed to race with them. Out of the forty-something cars that were there, I qualified in the Top-10 and was running competitively until we lost a radiator. They did not care if I was fast or not, it was simply because I was a fourteen-year-old female and they did not think that I should have been racing with them. I have since received a few apologies; I am glad that I was able to hold my own and prove myself in that situation.”

What are your goals behind the wheel and off the track?

“My biggest goal has always been to race for ThorSport Racing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, specifically a race at Martinsville. Off of the track, I have just received my degree in Psychology and am going to be starting my Master’s program soon. I hope to have my own office and build up a strong clientele.”

What is your favorite vehicle you’ve raced?

“My Super Late Model is definitely my favorite.”