Girls, have at it! When racing returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 11, the ladies of NASCAR will add their own element of speed, danger and fun to Bank of America 500 Week when they take to the frontstretch quarter-mile for the second annual Better Half Dash on Bojangles’ Pole Night.
The charity race, supporting Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) and Speedway Children’s Charities, will pit the women of NASCAR against each other in Bandolero race cars provided by U.S. Legend Cars International.
To date, the entry list for this year’s Better Half Dash includes defending champion Jacquelyn Butler, fiancée of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan; Angie Skinner, wife of 1995 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Mike Skinner; Michelle Gilliland, wife of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Gilliland; Patricia Driscoll, girlfriend of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kurt Busch; Ashley Allgaier, wife of NASCAR Nationwide Series standout Justin Allgaier; Kristen Yeley, wife of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver J.J. Yeley; SPEED TV reporter Wendy Venturrini; and Melanie Self, representing MRO.
“The Better Half Dash was so much fun last year,” Butler said. “It was a great trial run for the inaugural race. I thought it was a very successful and entertaining event for the fans and a great way to let everyone know how much MRO and Speedway Children’s Charities means to the NASCAR community. I am so excited for this years BHD race, we have some exciting things planned to make it even more entertaining for the fans.”
The Better Half Dash will be a 25-lap race, with a competition caution set for Lap 15. A random inversion will shake up the field before the final 10-lap shootout. Caution laps will not count. If necessary, there will be up to two chances at a green-white-checkered finish. The starting order for the race will be determined by qualifying on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
While the better half takes the wheel, her significant other will serve as crew chief and spotter for the race, but drivers and crew members are not permitted to make any engine, chassis or suspension modifications.
Butler said there is added pressuring to do well this year after her success at last year’s Better Half Dash race.
“This is the one thing David get’s to watch me be competitive at, and we are competitive people,” she said. “I want to make him proud and at least finish in the top three.”
The winning driver will receive $10,000 to be paid to the charity or charities of her choice.
Better Half Dash practice sessions are scheduled for Sept. 18 from 6-9 p.m., Sept. 25 from 6-9 p.m. and before qualifying on Oct. 9, beginning at 6 p.m. All practice sessions will be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Updates on the race and entrants can be found at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or motorracingoutreach.com or by following #BetterHalfDash on Twitter.
Charlotte Motor Speedway PR
