PHOENIX — This season, Women in Motorsports North America is working with Busch Light to deliver the next phase of the brand’s Accelerate Her Program.
To support women currently pursuing racing careers in NASCAR and to diversify the sport for future generations of drivers, WIMNA has created the Contingency Fund Program, a bespoke point system that rewards women drivers 21 years of age and older with monetary rewards based on race results throughout the racing season.
Last year, Busch Light announced a first-of-its-kind three-year commitment called the Accelerate Her program that takes aim at the inequity of resources available to women drivers by investing directly in 21 and older women drivers in NASCAR. In the program’s second year, Busch Light and WIMNA have developed the Contingency Fund program.
“Last year, Busch Light seized the opportunity to accelerate gender equality in motorsports, and we’re pleased to be bringing WIMNA onboard to strengthen initial efforts through the next phase of Accelerate Her with the 2023 Contingency Fund Program,” said Krystyn Stowe, head of marketing, Busch Family and Natural Family at Anheuser-Busch. “As experts in the space with plenty of heart and passion for building opportunities that create an equitable playing field, WIMNA is the perfect partner to lead this year’s efforts in providing even more women drivers with opportunities for advancement on and off the track.”
Here’s How The program Works:
• The program uses a bespoke point system created by WIMNA to empower and reward women drivers based on their merit and achievements throughout the season.
• Eligible participants in the program will accumulate points during the 2023 season – as of February 1, 2023.
• Designed to help address the financial inequities within NASCAR, the top three women drivers at the end of the year will be rewarded purses of $125,000, $50,000 and $25,000.
“Motorsports is unique to almost every other sport in that women and men compete equally. I have seen firsthand that equality is not always granted when it comes to the much-needed funding drivers require to succeed,” said Lyn St. James, co-founder of WIMNA. “Financial incentive contingency programs are one of the best ways to monetize and create awareness for women racers based on results.
“We look forward to reaching more women drivers, providing more access throughout the season, and seeing more wins for women racers in NASCAR.”