ELKHART LAKE, Wis. — Jamie Chadwick became only the third woman to win an Indy NXT race when she triumphed on Sunday at Road America.
The Andretti Global driver is not particularly impressed by that statistic, though, she is motivated by it. Motivated to see more women compete at the top levels of motorsports.
“It doesn’t make a difference,” she said in regard to being the third female winner in the series joining Pippa Mann in 2010 and two-time winner Ana Beatriz (2008 and 2009). “At the same time, I find the stat scary because there is no reason, it’s tough, it’s physical, but there’s no reason why women can’t be competing at the highest level of motorsports. It shouldn’t be that. I don’t think it’s something we should be proud of to celebrate in a way.
“I really want more women. Seeing Lindsay (Brewer) come to the championship is great, but I think we should have more and more young girls starting in the Indy feeder series, getting through Indy NXT.”
Mann, who won in 2010 at Kentucky Speedway and owns eight Indy 500 starts, joined Chadwick by video conference following the race and also addressed the subject of female drivers getting more opportunities.
“It’s obviously something I’m equally as passionate about as Jamie,” Mann interjected. “I’ve been doing a lot of work outside of the car trying to help other women in the sport. My business is pretty small and we can’t do a lot. It’s really important to me to help see more women have the funding and opportunities.
“Female drivers can be just as talented as men, just as Jamie is proving,” she continued. “With the opportunity and the equipment and the talent, we could win races and championships. This is why it means so much for me to see Jamie out there succeeding.”
In addition to Chadwick and Brewer competing in the Indy NXT series, sprint car racing graduate Taylor Ferns will compete in select oval events in the class later this season.
Still, Chadwick, who is a three-time W Series champion, celebrated the victory after having earned her first series pole the previous day.
“We came into this year aiming for that, kind of back of last year trying to be a little bit more aggressive with our approach, less conservative in each race, finish races, trying for wins,” she explained on Sunday. “We’ve had good pace this year, probably not good enough pace to challenge for a win until we got to yesterday. Yesterday I knew we had an opportunity. Then today sitting on pole, another opportunity. You don’t get those regularly in this championship. I was keen to make the most of it.”
It is her second season of Indy NXT competition.
“Last year was a tough year. Fighting where I think we should be fighting, it’s a great feeling. I’m grateful for everyone’s support,” said the 26-year-old British driver. “I think we’ll keep pushing. I appreciate how tough this championship is, as well. Just respecting the level. Coming at it this year with the speed we’ve had, I’m just super happy.”