Connecting NASCAR, female service members through honor, inspiration

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Morgan
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  NASCAR and the armed forces are connected in many different ways; most of them are apparent to the viewers at home, from sponsorship and recruiting to camaraderie. One connection most people do not make initially is that both environments are traditionally male-dominated. Next time a race is on, take a look at the drivers and the crew and see how many women climb into a Sprint Cup Series car, or carry a tire over the wall. Now compare that to how many women step into the cockpit of an F-15 Eagle.

Neither institution discriminates against women in any way; it is just a statistic that fewer women are a part of either. Only 16 women have participated as drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series since 1949, and women make up 14.6 percent of the US armed services in 2011.

Why are these numbers important? To Jennifer Jo Cobb, owner of - and driver for - Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing, these numbers are not a reason to complain, but to honor and inspire.

"Being a woman in a male-dominated environment makes you different," said Cobb. "Being different means your mistakes are magnified, and so are your successes. While both are ok sometimes, it creates resentment towards women [...] and while that doesn't always offend me, it doesn't make it right. I can imagine some of the difficulty for [female service members] in the desert."

In 2010, Cobb came up with an idea to connect her team with female service members. As a NASCAR driver and owner, she had flown with the Blue Angels and visited with general officers. She figured: what better way to inspire and honor female service members than to share with them her NASCAR experience?

To do this, she started Driven 2 Honor, a nonprofit organization with a goal of honoring America's military women. Driven 2 Honor hosted three honorary pit crew female service members from the 436th Airlift Wing June 1, at Dover International Speedway, Del., for the Lucas Oil 200: Staff Sgt. Amanda Ford, Staff Sgt. Tiffany Sauler, and Airman 1st Class Ashley Smith.

To some, the NASCAR experience is going to the grand stands, eating turkey legs, and having fan rivalries. For others, it is getting a pit pass, eating gourmet food and meeting with owners. But for Ford, Sauler and Smith, they experienced what most would consider a "unique" experience.

Showing up to the track at 9 a.m., the honorary pit crew members were driven from the outskirts of Dover International Speedway to the truck-hauler of Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing on the infield. They met Cobb and were given a tour of the Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series garages and the pits. At that point, it was probably what most VIPs would get with other drivers or owners.

Smith, a cargo processor with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, has only been at Dover Air Force Base, Del., for two months. She had never been to a NASCAR race; she brought work gloves and her reflective belt - mandatory equipment on the Dover AFB flightline.

"When I signed up, I thought I would be volunteering. It sounded like a lot of fun being part of a pit crew at a NASCAR race," said Smith. "When I got here, I was treated like royalty. This is a whole different world."

What came next was off the beaten path. Every member of the team came out to meet the service members and thanked them for their service. They took them to other teams who wanted to do the same. They got released to go do what they wanted, but were told to be back by 1:30 p.m. because Cobb was cooking lunch.

To most people, a driver cooking at 1:30 p.m., when they are driving at 4:20 p.m. may be a little silly, but for Cobb's team it is what makes her unique, and the experience one of a kind - she creates a family environment.

Two hours after eating, the honorary pit crew members followed Cobb to the driver's meeting. They were subsequently recognized by NASCAR with a standing ovation.

As the race was about to start, the National Anthem played and Ford, Sauler and Smith were all standing with Cobb next to her No. 10 Camping World Series truck. During the race, the service members were an active part of the crew learning the mechanics of racing and what it takes to be a NASCAR crew member.

The Lucas Oil 200 was called after 147 laps due to bad weather conditions, cutting short the full day for Ford, Sauler and Smith. For the Airmen, it was enough.

"[Cobb] brings a great message of empowerment to females," said Smith. "It is amazing to see her and other female drivers thrive in a male-dominated environment."

According to Cobb, her organization, Driven 2 Honor, is in its beginning stages. She said her mission of honoring, inspiring and empowering will carry the organization, and continue to connect NASCAR women with military women.

To nominate a female service member, visit Driven2Honor.org