Women driving change in motorsports

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Women are breaking barriers at the Indy 500. They’re driving change at every level, from the track to the executive suites.

That change isn’t always visible at first glance, but behind the scenes, some powerful voices are helping steer the industry in a new direction.

“We’re not here to change the sport, we’re here to grow the sport,” said Cindy Sisson, executive director of Women in Motorsports North America. “What we hear all the time is, ‘Look at how many more women are out in the paddock, on the team with sponsors.’ It’s just amazing and it’s really fun to see the growth going on.”

In a sport long dominated by men, women are racing ahead, not just behind the wheel, but in leadership roles.

Cindy Sisson is the executive director of Women in Motorsports North America, a nonprofit founded in 2022. She’s leading a movement focused on mentorship and opportunity, especially for young women eager to make their mark in racing.

“We mine those amazing ladies. That’s the future of our motorsports,” Sisson said. “I just told them all do day, how many want to be in motorsports, and about half raised their hand, but the other half don’t realize they can also have a career in motorsports, and we’re here to show them that.”

At Andretti Global, Ryann Weatherford, vice president of partnership activations and communications, is an example of that vision in action. She’s seen firsthand how the presence of women in racing has evolved over the last 18 years.

“There’s always been a place for women in motorsports, but that place is becoming new areas that might have been unexpected,” Weatherford said. “Now we’re engineers, we’re doctors, team executives. For the first time, Andretti Global has a female president.”

Weatherford says getting involved in racing starts with one thing: Putting yourself out there.

“Don’t be afraid to apply to those jobs,” Weatherford said. “Don’t be afraid to get on LinkedIn and network. Come out the racetrack and see the person doing the role that you want to do, and stop and say hello.”

Sisson and Weatherford believe visibility and representation are the keys to changing the future of the sport.

“Investing in women in motorsports makes good business sense. That’s it,” Sisson said.

Both women say they hope to see more women step outside their comfort zones and consider careers in motorsports, whether it’s in law, communications, medicine, or beyond.