Photo credit: @CLTMotorSpdwy
RELATED: Photos of the Better Half Dash participants
CONCORD, N.C. — It was the NASCAR wives’ and girlfriends’ time to shine on the track in Thursday’s fifth annual Better Half Dash, organized by Motor Racing Outreach at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Shannon Koch, the wife of NASCAR XFINITY Series driver, Blake Koch, took the checkered flag. She overcame some early-race trouble when the back body panel of her No. 8 machine was blown off by the wind.
“I really didn’t know that I lost part of my car until I came back around and they were picking it up off the track,” Shannon Koch said after the race. “My husband just said, ‘keep going, they didn’t black flag you yet.’ “
Congratulations Shannon Koch! @CLTMotorSpdwy: Shannon Koch wins #BetterHalfDash! pic.twitter.com/utaZBrZH2u http://t.co/A8pZxzvjsB
— NASCAR Off Track (@OffTrackNASCAR) October 8, 2015
When asked whether that gave her an aerodynamic advantage, Shannon Koch said, “I don’t know, maybe it did. Did lap times pick up? I have no idea. It didn’t feel any different to me.”
To which second-place finisher Katelyn Sweet, girlfriend of Kyle Larson, quickly said to a loud round of laughter, “Your motor got way more air.”
No word on whether the car passed post-race inspection.
Shannon Koch wins the #BetterHalfDash at @CLTMotorSpdwy pic.twitter.com/dbjY7tmYkm
— Pete McCole (@PeteMcCole) October 8, 2015
The race benefits MRO and Speedway Children’s Charities as well as each participant’s individual charity. Koch’s $10,000 winnings went to MRO, which was the charity she was representing. The participants raised $75,000, according to MRO and track officials
With the win comes a really big trophy for Koch. She described it as “definitely the biggest that we have. It will go right up there with the rest of them.” And Koch is also going out on top, saying in the post-race press conference, “I’m retiring.”
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regulars Larson and Denny Hamlin were among the spotters for their respective significant others, Sweet and Jordan Fish. NASCAR Sprint Cup regulars Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were among those to check out the action as well.
Sweet led several laps in the event and overcame an early spin out to finish second. Tandra Greenfield, the wife of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Clay Greenfield, finished third.
Greenfield is eager to come back next year.
“It was fun to compete with them because they were so aggressive and competitive,” she said.
Wendy Venturini, a NASCAR reporter and wife of Jarrad Egert, director of track operations for Joe Gibbs Racing, was not able to pull off the MRO event sweep after taking the High Heel Dash in May.
Over the past few weeks, there have been practice sessions leading up to the race, all while the competitors were busy raising money prior to the event.
As in years past, the participant to raise the most money earned the opportunity to select their starting spot for the race. Koch earned the pole honor.
The results:
1. Shannon Koch (wife of driver Blake Koch)
2. Katelyn Sweet (girlfriend of driver Kyle Larson)
3. Tandra Greenfield (wife of driver Clay Greenfield)
4. Jordan Fish (girlfriend of driver Denny Hamlin)
5. Kristen Yeley (wife of driver J.J. Yeley)
6. Tatiana Papis (wife of driver Max Papis)
7. Ashley Deihl Stremme (wife of driver David Stremme)
8. Melanie Self (Motor Racing Outreach Community Center Coordinator)
9. Jenna Robinson (wife of No. 19 tire changer Clay Robinson)
10. Whitney Kay Scott (wife of driver Brian Scott)
11. Wendy Venturini (NASCAR reporter, wife of JGR director of track operations Jarrad Egert)