Winston Cup wives have come a long way

By Liz Allison, Turner Sports Interactive
October 24, 2001
11:14 AM EDT (1514 GMT)

COMMENTARY

Liz Allison

It was not too long ago that women were not allowed in the pits or the garage area at racetracks.

As a matter of fact, drivers wives and female family members were not really welcome at the track at all. The unspoken rule was that a driver's wife should not be seen or heard from while at the racetrack.

It would not be until the early 1970s that things would change with women becoming more involved in racing, although it would not become prevalent until the mid-1980s.

Race day was quite different for the drivers' wives during that time compared to how it is today. This closeness helped build a strong bond between the drivers' wives.

"The wives were much closer then than they seem to be now," said Lynda Petty, wife of seven-time Winston Cup champion Richard Petty. "I think it was because we did not have anywhere to go but stay right with each other. We did not have motor homes then, we just had our station wagons, kids and a lot of food."

Feeling like there was more for this group of wives and friends to do in their racing community than just watch races, they decided to come up with a plan to one day form an auxiliary as a support group for each other and also as a relief fund to provide medical assistance and financial help for race participants.

They did not know how they would make this dream come true, they were just sure it would become a reality somehow, someway.

After several years of discussions and countless hours of planning, the Grand National Racing Wives Auxiliary Inc. became a reality in 1965. To accomplish its central objective, the Auxiliary immediately established a charitable trust to receive private donations. The initial contribution was in the amount of $1,039.

As the Grand National Series evolved into Winston Cup so did this organization, which is today known as the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary. The organization that started with less than 10 charter members has now a membership roster of over 1,000.

The sport of NASCAR Winston Cup racing has changed so much over the years and the auxiliary has managed to keep up with the popular series in its growth.

What started out as a small group of women stepping in for their cause has now gone way beyond their expectations.

"I don't think that any of the initial members would have thought that the auxiliary would be where it is today," said Rice Speed, president of the WCRWA and the wife of former driver Lake Speed. "Because of their vision we now have the opportunity to help many different people."

As a result of the of the WCRWA's astounding growth, contributions and support are now being provided to medical facilities and children's hospitals throughout the United States.

The WCRWA serves as the headquarters for the annual Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, which supports numerous children's charities as well as the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

The camp for chronically ill children was established by Kyle and Pattie Petty in memory of their son Adam, who lost his life in a racing accident in Loudon, N.H., in May 2000.

The Auxiliary has several fund raising events each year, one of which was a racing auction at the Bass Pro Shops at Concord Mills in Charlotte during the October race that raised over $20,000.

That same week, the annual membership meeting opened its doors to the public by selling tickets to a luncheon, which included a question answer time with a celebrity panel of wives in an effort to raise funds for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund in New York.

This allowed the fans a rare chance to talk with the wives in a relaxed setting and help raise funds for a great cause at the same time.

"This was our way of trying to help where the help is needed It makes me feel good to know that I have done something to help out," said Delana Harvick, a member of the celebrity panel and wife of Kevin Harvick.

A new addition to the auxiliary is the Friends of Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary. This is a membership made up of friends and fans of the sport of Winston Cup Racing.

To be an auxiliary member you have to be a wife of a driver, crew member, NASCAR official, car owner, track owner or promoter. However, this subsidiary of the auxiliary is opened to anyone who wants to be a member, including men who further support the mission of the organization.

The annual membership is $25, which includes a quarterly newsletter and invitations to special events.

The vision of the drivers' wives years ago is now governed by a board of directors comprised of the corporation's officers which include a president, vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, treasurer, the immediate past president and five directors elected by the membership.

Although the membership is far more than the organization started out with, the mission is still the same after 36 years.

As a past vice president, I can tell you the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary is a key element in the lives of the racing wives and serves an incredible purpose in our growing sport.

To find out more about the WCRWA or the Friends of WCRWA, call (704) 455-9299 or log onto www.winstoncupracingwives.com.