Q&A: Monster Jam driver Linsey Read discusses the power of women ahead of Columbus appearance
When she first joined Monster Jam, Linsey Read found the prospect of being a woman in predominantly male sport a bit daunting. Now, in her seventh year as a driver, the 35-year-old Texan is unshakably confident that she can go full-throttle against any man.
"It was very intimidating at first. I didn't know how the men in the sport were going to treat me when I first started," Read said during a recent conversation with The Dispatch. "But they have been amazing and very supportive."
"As soon as those helmets go on, it doesn't matter if you're male or female," she explained. "We're all out there for the same reason ― and that's to try to win that title."
That's just what Read and seven of her male teammates will be doing on April 1-2, when the Monster Jam Arena Championship Series East revs up at the Schottenstein Center.
Women's History Month: Meet the YWCA Columbus Women on the Rise
Appropriately, the event comes just after Women's History Month, as Read has made some women's history of her own with Monster Jam. Speaking by phone from her home in Joshua, Texas, the gregarious driver discussed her achievements, juggling work and family, and the indomitable spirit of women.
Question: How did you become interested in driving and racing?
Linsey Read: I always had a passion for watching dirt track racing, but I could never get my foot in. I saw Monster Jam come to El Paso and thought how awesome it was. When I saw (driver) Candice Jolly holding it down, she was such an inspiration to me.
Monster Jam had a (legal street racing) competition, which I did two years in a row, and some of the Monster Jam drivers told me I was a really good driver and wanted me to audition. I graduated from Monster Jam University in Paxton, Illinois. They teach you about the safety equipment, how to get into the trucks, figure eights, how the truck reacts to different things, driving on two wheels, doing freestyle ... and now, I've been doing it since 2016.
Q. What do you consider the biggest accomplishments of your career?
Read: By far, it was in 2019 at the Monster Jam World Finals. I went in as a competitor for the Showdown competition — eight trucks go out and race for a chance at the championship. I ended up being the first female to ever win a Showdown competition. The next day, I became the second woman to win the Monster Jam World Finals freestyle competition.
Q. How do you strike a balance between having a family and traveling with Monster Jam?
Read: I have two little ones at home, one is almost 1 and the other is 6. My husband is my biggest supporter. When I'm gone, he's holding down the household and taking care of the kiddos. Every time they get a chance, they come with me and support me 100%.
The toughest thing would have to be traveling so much and not being able to be with my family 24/7. I joke with my husband about our younger daughter: "If she starts taking her first steps without me there to see, you better push her down." (Laughs)
Q. What's life on the road like with your team?
Read: Right now, we're traveling every single weekend until May 15. I'm touring with seven other drivers trying to get as many points as possible to go to the world finals. We just become one big family; we get to know each other on a whole different level.
Sometimes, if we get to a city early enough, we try to squeeze in at least trying new restaurants and seeing some sights. Traveling as much as we do, we get to go to many awesome places and explore so many different cultures.
Q. Who are your personal and professional heroes?
Read: My personal hero would be my mom. She raised four of us kids on her own and showed me how strong a woman can be. We're unstoppable. We can do anything we put our minds to, anything we want to do. When I said I wanted to be a driver, she looked at me like I was absolutely crazy (laughs) but she gave me the love and support that I needed to go out there and make this dream a reality.
Professionally, Cynthia Gauthier, another female Monster Jam driver. The way she presents herself, the way she drives is such an inspiration. My daughter loves her so much and it warms my heart that my daughter has another woman in Monster Jam to look up to. Cynthia showing we're out there, that it's possible to be racing with the boys means the world to me.
Q. Would you encourage your own daughter if she wanted to follow in your footsteps?
Read: Oh, absolutely! She just started racing go-karts a year ago and she's won first place twice. She is pretty good, I'm not gonna lie!
Q. Monster Jam is slowly but surely attracting more women. What do you think is fueling their interest?
Read: I think that a lot of females were always interested and when they started seeing women getting involved and seeing the amount of success we've had, it gave them the confidence to come into it. (Gauthier) was the first woman to win the world finals high jump competition in 2019, the same year I won the Showdown and the Monster Jam World Finals freestyle competition. It was the year of the woman!
At a glance
The Monster Jam Arena Championship Series East will be held April 1-2 at the Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Drive. Both days will begin with a meet-and-greet Pit Party at 10:30 a.m., with arena action at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 1, and at 1 p.m. April 2. Tickets are $30 for the 1 p.m. events and $25 for 7 p.m. (schottensteincenter.com)
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Monster Jam's Linsey Read helps pave way for female truck drivers
