Speed Week: Gender doesn't matter, Erwin is one of the best
Capturing the attention of race fans across the country after her win at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway on March 30, many race fans called Megan Erwin the best female driver in recent years. Although flattered by the comments, Erwin has a different take on the remarks.
“ I don’t want to be referred to as the best female driver,” Erwin said. “I want to show girls that we can do it, but also show the fans that we are all the same as the guys in the race car. I have gotten used to it, but calling us a female race driver isn’t going to help.”
Entering her 20th year in racing, Erwin, along with her brother Kyle, began with go karts. Their parents wanted a way to keep Kyle out of trouble and offered to buy a kart. Megan felt she was being overlooked and her mother decided they would have to give the then 6-year-old an opportunity.
“I raced karts for 12 years,” the Attica, Indiana, native said. “I was only the second person to ever win three straight track championships at the Lake Village (Ind.) Speedway. I had a bunch of feature wins and finished third in the Indiana State championship race at Ben Hur Speedway.”
Erwin moved into the factory stock class, racing for 2½ years. Erwin competed at Boswell, Shady Hill, Plymouth — all in Indiana — and Charleston Speedway in Illinois. Erwin took several race wins and many felt she had “it.”
Now in her fifth season in the DIRTcar Stock Car division, Erwin captured the track championship last year at the Farmer City Raceway. Currently leading the points standing at Farmer City, Erwin ranks second in the DIRTcar national points, holds down the fourth position at Fairbury Speedway and has seven feature wins.
“This year we have taken a different approach,” the forensic psychology major said. “Our team has gone to different tracks that we normally don’t race at. We wanted to put the fun back in racing. We have raced in Tennessee and Kentucky this year and have plans to go to Mississippi.”
The win on the high banked, half-mile Bristol Speedway is the biggest win of her career. Hitting speeds at 150 mph and getting out of her car after the win, Erwin casually waved to the crowd with little emotion.
“It really didn’t seem all that big until a few weeks had passed,” Erwin said. “A winner's circle is a winner's circle, but 'it’s Bristol, baby!' It took me awhile to let it sink in.”
Erwin has racing goals to move into another division. As a driver of a Bullet modified chassis, Erwin could head into that direction.
“The Bullet chassis is making tremendous strides in the stock car class and Cody Roberts has done a tremendous job with the modified chassis,” Erwin said. “We will have to wait and see.”
Erwin receives support from Mike Alsop Chevrolet-Buick, Alsop Racing, Beetles Auto Salvage, SRI, MPI< Wildgraphix, E3 Spark Plug, Cora Wolf and Bullet Chassis.
“I have to thank my parents (Tom and Anita Erwin), my grandparents and Kim and Jayden Hoskins. My dad puts in all the work every week. Kim is my mechanic and makes sure everything is ready to go.
“I can’t forget all the race fans,” Erwin added. “I feel I have a great fan base, especially with the young kids. They are the ones that motivate me and keep the team going. The fans are the best part of racing.”
Erwin has shown she has the talent to go far in racing. The confidence, the team, fan base and support from her family and marketing partners. The month of August will see many tracks in the region with high-paying races and Erwin and her #14 plan to be in the mix.
Friday Racing
Farmer City Raceway
The winner of the “What Up Dog 40” for the pro late model class at the Dewitt County Fairground dirt track will pocket $2,222. A full show and the hornet class will return. Hot laps are at 6:30 p.m., time trials start at 7 and racing will follow.
Grundy County Speedway
Fans will be treated to twin-25 features for the late models, the “Candyman 33” for street stocks, sportsman and the pure stocks. It will be “Back to School Night” as kids will receive a backpack filled with school supplies while they last. Gates to the ⅓-mile paved oval open at 5 and racing starts at 8. The track is located on Rt. 47 in Morris.
Kankakee County Speedway
The track is on a break but racing will return on Aug. 19.
Saturday Racing
Fairbury Speedway
Only four weeks remain for drivers to lock themselves in the top 10 in track points. A FALS Cup/Alkota Keep it Clean racing program, presented by Tool’s Auto Sales and Hot Rod Septic Treatment, is on the schedule. Racing will take place in all weekly classes. Gates open at 2 p.m., hot laps and time trials will start at 5:50 and the first race starts at 7:15.
Macon Speedway
The ⅕-mile dirt oval will present the “Diane Bennett Memorial.” The first-place purse for the pro late models stands at more than $2,000. More than $850 will go to the Modified winner. As more sponsors become involved the purse for each class will increase. Gates open at 4 p.m., hot laps are at 6 and racing starts at 7.
Sunday Racing
Bohmer’s Rt.66 Raceway
Go Kart racing from Rookies to Juniors and the Seniors will begin at noon. Racing will start around between 12:30 and 1 p.m. The track is located on Old Rt. 66 between Chenoa and Pontiac. Spectator admission is free, so come out and support the future stars of racing.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Speed Week Gender doesn't matter, Megan Erwin is one of the best
