Women in the Winner's Circle news 2008-07-11

6th Annual Women in the Winner's Circle Luncheon to be Held at IMS July 24

Five Individuals to be Honored for Leadership, Spirit, Pioneering Activities and Providing Opportunities to Women

Indianapolis, IN (July 11, 2008) -- The 6th Annual Women in the Winner's Circle Luncheon will be held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Thursday July 24 to celebrate women race car drivers in all race series as well as raise funds to sustain the Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation programs that support, celebrate, educate and train aspiring young women drivers. A reception begins at 11:30 with lunch served at 12 noon. The luncheon is co-hosted by legendary driver Lyn St. James, and action sports and motorsports reporter for ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, Jamie Little.

More than 40 women racers will be introduced from all forms of motor sports along with industry leaders such as Mike Helton, Joie Chitwood, Tom Compton, Ron Drager, Jim Jordan, Les Unger, Kevin Miller and others.

"There is more interest in female drivers than when we first held this event in 2003," said St. James, 1992 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year. "More and more, women are receiving opportunities to prove themselves on the track. And, increasingly, women are rising to higher levels of racing and earning their place on the podium.

"This year we have several exciting announcements to share including the first recipients of the Foundation's Project Podium matching grant program, which was launched at last year's luncheon. We will also announce the recipients of our inaugural Leadership Award given to individuals who have shown singular support to women's motorsports programs. And we have a special announcement about our partnership with The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, that I am very excited about."

In addition to the Leadership Award, the Mildred Marcum Pioneer Award will be presented two women drivers who represented what it takes to be successful: show up, work hard, love what you're doing, and be the best at what you do; the USAC Kara Hendrick Spirit Award honoring a woman driver whose spirit, determination and driving ability are reminiscent of the excellence demonstrated by Kara Hendrick during her brief career; and the Opportunity Award honoring a race team or sponsor that created a significant opportunity for a woman driver to excel in the industry.

Luncheon sponsors include: NASCAR; Ford Motor Company; Toyota; American Honda Motor Company; George McAtee; The Indianapolis Star Media Group; General Motors; Mazda North America; Old National Bank; Just Marketing International; Whale Hunting Women; University of Indianapolis; Leo Mehl; Linda Conti/David A. Noyes & Co.; Greg Dawson & Associates; Indianapolis Motor Speedway; and Simon Property Group.

Tables and tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.lynstjames.com.

About Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation:

A strong advocate for women in the motorsports industry, particularly women who aspire to the professional level in racing, Lyn St. James established the Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation in 1994, is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to professional development for talented, up-and-coming young women race car drivers.

The Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation currently conducts two primary programs: Project Podium, a matching grant program for young women drivers; and the Women in the Winner's Circle Academy: The Complete Driver, established in 1994. The Academy has become the most comprehensive educational and training program of its kind for talented and gifted women motorsports drivers. Since its inception, more than 230 women drivers, including Danica Patrick, Erin Crocker, Melanie Troxel and Sarah Fisher, have participated in this invitation-only Academy. More information about the Women's in the Winner's Circle Foundation, Project Podium and the Driver Development Academy can be found at www.lynstjames.com.

-credit: lsj