2. Jessie (Gracyalny) Van Roy
Kaukauna
Limited late model racing at Wisconsin International Raceway
15 years in racing
Non-racing career: Storeroom inventory controller at Appleton Coated
How did you get involved in racing? I grew up around stock cars. I have two brothers who race on dirt tracks. We got “racing bug” from our dad. He raced for 60 years and retired at the age of 80.
My dad is one of my biggest fans, watches me race every week and never stops giving me advice.
How are you treated by male drivers? Gender has not been a problem on the track. When I am strapped in and ready to race, they see me as just another competitor.
Why do you enjoy it? I enjoy the thrill of going fast. Every week seems to bring me a new challenge, which I am always up for.
What has been your greatest challenge? One of my greatest challenges has been qualifying and trying to be consistent from week to week. My crew and I are always learning new things and are trying to be a top contender on the track.
Every week I feel like class is in session.
What have been your greatest achievements? Throughout my years of racing, I have won numerous heats and features and also placed in the top 10 in points 11 out of my 14 years of racing.
If you could change one thing about racing what would it be? The expense of racing. I think more people would be interested in getting behind the wheel if it wasn't so costly.
In the sport of racing, you rely heavily on your sponsors to help fund the car.
Describe your most memorable racing experience. I have so many of them, but I would have to say when I qualified for the dash and I ended up winning it.
The dash is made up of the six fastest cars of the night in your division. It was such a great feeling.
I was also fortunate enough to race against my dad one night at the 141 speedway. I also compete against my husband every week, so needless to say, it keeps things very interesting at times!
What advice do you have for women interested in racing? Learn as much as you possibly can about race cars and keep notes.
Also, set goals but be realistic about them. Take advantage of practice sessions so you can learn to drive the car and feel what it will do in certain circumstances.
Last but least, be yourself and have fun!
3. Nickie Huss
Kaukauna
Drag racing
15 years in racing
Non-racing career: In-home psychotherapist and outpatient therapist
How did you get involved in racing? My dad started drag racing in 1967 and has been racing and involved in drag racing ever since.
My mom raced for a few years in the ‘80s and early ‘90s and my brother started racing when he was 16 and has been racing for 17 years. In 2008, my brother was the Top Eliminator Champion at WIR.
How are you treated by male drivers? When I first started racing at age 16, I won the Northeast Wisconsin High School Drag Racing Championship and my best friend, Sarah, finished second.
I was razzed a little, but the more I won the less they did it. I became friends with a lot of the people I met racing and we razz each other.
Why do you enjoy it? I enjoy it because it is a family sport. Every weekend I get to see my parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nephews.
A lot of the people there have seen me grow up and if you ever need anything, they do what they can to help. WIR is such a huge extended family and after the races on Saturday night we hang out.
What has been your greatest challenge? My greatest challenge has been to get used to the several cars I have raced.
To date I have raced six different cars in four different classes. Every other season was like starting from scratch.
What have been your greatest achievements? Being High School Champion in 1995, my first year racing, and being able to travel to other Division 5 tracks. I beat the Division 1 champion in first round at Oklahoma Raceway Park.
Describe your most memorable racing experiences. Since I have been racing for 15 years, there are too many to list. A few would be: my championship, my brother’s championship, going to Byron Dragway on Labor Day Weekend, and going to Martin, Mich., for the World Bracket Finals.
What advice do you have for women interested in racing? To bring their daily driver street car to the track, enter in street and talk to other racers. They would be more than happy to help.
You can also bring your daily driver to High School night, make time runs to get used to racing, and talk to track officials. Everyone is friendly and helpful.
How long have you been hanging out at the track? I went to WIR in Kaukauna for the first time when I was 3 months old with my family. I began drag racing when I was 16 and have been racing for 15 years.
Where do you race? My husband, Craig, and I bought a 1996 Race Craft rear engine dragster in October 2008 and this will be the first season with the new car.
Since I started drag racing in 1995, I have raced at WIR in Kaukauna, Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, US131 in Martin, Mich., Milan Dragway in Milan MI, Byron Dragway in Byron IL, Cordova Dragway in Cordova IL, Norwalk Raceway Park in Norwalk OH and Tulsa Raceway Park in Tulsa Oklahoma.