Megan Reitenour

Miamisburg High School Senior, Megan Reitenour was selected as a driver for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity Program. Reitenour participated in the testing and evaluation combine back in October of this year and the official announcement from NASCAR was just released confirming she was selected.

Reitenour was one of twelve chosen from over 200 initial applicants and will be participating in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series. She will be teaming with Leicht Racing located in Asheville, North Carolina.  Megan will be competing for a full season of racing at Tri-County Speedway in Hudson, NC.

The festivities for the Charlotte Media Tour began on Thursday, Jan 22nd at the NASCAR Research and Development Center. The introduction was given by Jim Hunter. Marcus Jadotte followed to talk about the Drive for Diversity Program and introduced the 2009 drivers. Following the formal introductions, one on one interviews took place with the media.

Friday, Jan 23rd will be NASCAR night with the Charlotte Bobcats, where the fans will get the opportunity to interact with some of NASCAR star Drivers, which will also involve meeting and getting autographs from the 2009 NASCAR Drive for Diversity drivers.

Jan 24th and 25th, Reitenour will be attending the 2009 Driver Advancement Summit, comprised of motorsports industry leaders from NASCAR, Dirt Racing, Speed TV and Joey Logano's Development Crew Chief. Representatives will speak on issues most critical to off-track development of race car drivers seeking to pursue a professional motorsports career.

Megan said, "This is a wonderful experience and opportunity for me that I'm so thankful to be given. I feel honored and proud to have been chosen as a NASCAR Drive for Diversity driver. I will be able to concentrate on just doing the best job that I can by winning races, instead of also worrying about the funding to be able to do so. I hope to do a great job and that it opens other opportunities for me to advance within the various NASCAR series. I'm really excited for the challenge and look forward to the season ahead of us."

Super Cup Stock Car Series (SCSCS) and the ARCA Lincoln Welder Truck Series racer, 

Megan is a three time Quarter Midget Track Champion. She is the 2004/2005 Ohio State Bandolero Champion and the 2006 Young Lions Semi Pro Legends State Champion.

Megan was one of five selected from a group of eighteen participants nationwide as a Project Podium Grant recipient.  

Project Podium is a grant program that provides matching funds to drivers who have generated sponsorships. Project Podium, founded by entrepreneur and former Indy 500 driver Lyn St. James was established in an effort to help further young females in their careers as race car drivers.  

“Project Podium is designed to help young talent achieve racing and business success, but not by giving them a handout. Each applicant must demonstrate her commitment, desire and need, both in the business world and on the track.” St. James said.  

Reitenour submitted her driving qualification, sponsor information and a written essay of her goals and plans and why she needs the support. A total of $28,900 in scholarships was available and each applicant was reviewed by a volunteer panel of motorsports and business professionals to include, Vicki O'Connor, managing director of the Atlantic Championship; Linda Conti, financial advisor at David A. Noyes & Co.; Amy Rosewater, sports writer; and Erin Crocker, NASCAR driver & Women in the Winner's Circle Driver Academy graduate.

Reitenour said, “I’m so thankful to have been one of the recipients for funding assistance and I really appreciate everything that Lyn does in an effort to help us. She is a true champion for female racers and racers in general and I can’t thank her enough for her help. This year has been a tough year for my sponsors and hard in an effort for us to find sponsors. The Project Podium funding I received will go to good use and will help me towards my goal of racing the full schedule in the Super Cup Series this season.” 

Due to the in inclement weather conditions, qualifying for the Super Cup Stock Car Series was cancelled and the starting grid of the field was determined by the current point standings of the series.

Megan started on the pole and was challenged several times but only relinquished the lead for 17 laps of the 100 lap event. This win marks the second win of the 2008 season for Reitenour and positions her in first place of the point standings of the series.  

Reitenour said, “We had high hopes coming into today’s race. I really wanted to win this race. Kil-Kare being close to my home town and my favorite track, it turned out to be a great day for us. I can’t thank my team enough for all their hard work. We fought a tight race car throughout the day but was able to pull through with the win.” 

Megan thanked the sponsor’s of her race, Horn and Hardart Coffee, McCallister Precision Marketing Team, Salyers Financial, and the  Marriott (Beaverceek, OH).

Megan was invited to attend the sixth annual Women in The Winner’s Circle Luncheon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. This event is held annually to help raise funds for the Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation (formerly the Lyn St. James Foundation), founded by racing driver and motivational speaker Lyn St. James in 1993. Today’s racing world is more encouraging for 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.

"How far we’ve come in such a short time," added St. James, "and how far we still need to go to receive equal opportunities in the field. At the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation, we continue to commit resources to training and mentoring drivers as they are starting their journey and throughout their careers.”  

Co-hosting with St. James was ESPN sports broadcaster Jamie Little. Committed sponsors include NASCAR, USAC, Indy Racing League/Indy Pro Series, NHRA, Champ Car World Series/Atlantic Series, American Le Mans Series (ALMS), Grand-Am, Racing Limos, and National City Bank.

The day started with a driver’s meeting where the agenda was reviewed and the women rehearsed their entrances for the “walk of champions”. The drivers where then released for a short period of time to mingle with their guests, distinguished visitors and  top executives from some of America’s leading companies, along with industry leaders such as Mike Helton (NASCAR), Terry Angstadt (Indy Racing League), Roger Bailey (Indy Pro Series),  Ardy and Vicki O’Connor (Champ Car Atlantic Series). The “walk of champions” then took place.  The drivers were then released for a short lunch break where a catered lunch was served. Following lunch each driver was introduced with a list of their career highlights and accomplishments. Reitenour and the other four Project Podium recipients were the last of the participants to be introduced and take the stage.

Following lunch various awards were given, including the Mildred Marcum Pioneer Award presented to Louise Smith and Sara Christian, both former NASCAR drivers and owners from the fifties. The Harold Matthews  Opportunity Award was presented to seven different race teams and to Dan Davis from Ford Racing. The Kara Hendrick Award was presented to Alison MacLeod  from the USAC Midget Series. 

Megan said, “The Women in The Winner’s Circle is always an event that I look forward to every year. It is truly an honor to be asked to participate and I’m so thankful and excited to be part of the first group chosen for the Project Podium Grant request. I will work hard to accomplish my goals and the board members expectations. I will strive to make them proud that they choose me as one of the grant recipients and do my best to be a good example for others to follow.” 

www.caracharities.org    or     www.cincycuredfoundation.org

 

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