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The driver that should have gotten Danica Patrick's NASCAR Nationwide Ride
To start off Megan, tell us a little about yourself and how you got into racing.
I’m a third generation race car driver. I started at the age of five in quarter midgets. After racing quarter midgets for 7 years I moved up to the bandoleros, raced those for 2 years. I won four championships in 2 years. Then I moved up to legends raced those for 2 years earning state rookie of the year. In 2008 I moved up to the Super Cup Stock Car Series. In 10 races I was able to obtain 9 top 5‘s and 10 top 10’s, earning 3 wins (series high). I finished 2nd in the points and winning rookie of the year. In 2009 I was selected for the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program. I race in Hudson NC, in a NASCAR Whelen Late model. Out of 17 races, I had 16 top 10 finishes and 7 top 5’s. I finished 4th in points and won Rookie of the year.
What do you think is the most important attribute that contributed to your success at such an early age?
The most important thing that contributed to my success would have to be my support system. A great support system is essential to being successful in racing. I’m so thankful to have amazing friends and family that work so hard to get me where I’m at today. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today without them.
Tell us about your involvement in NASCAR driver for diversity and how that has helped you further your advancement in NASCAR.
Last year I got the opportunity to drive for Drive for Diversity. Honestly, I would be out of a ride without their help. They gave me the opportunity to continue in my career and I’m so grateful for all of their help. I tested for them in October to see if I will be running for them next year and they will make their decision in February. Not only did Drive for Diversity keep me on the track they helped me out a lot with keeping my name out there. As anyone knows, in racing, it is one of the most important things to keep your name out there and they do a great job.
Recently, open wheel racing driver Danica Patrick signed a 13 race deal with JR Motorsports to drive in the Nationwide Series, tell us your thoughts about that situation and how it might be frustrating for a driver like yourself to get passed over for a driver that has virtually no stock car experience.
Danica is a great driver. She also has put herself in a great situation and great equipment by teaming up with JR motorsports. As most people know you have to be in great equipment to be successful. She also is going to have a ton of seat time which is great for any driver. I believe she is doing everything right to be successful in stock cars. I think with her going out there and being successful is only going to open the doors for me and other females in racing. I’m actually not too frustrated about this because I don’t want to just jump right into a nationwide car. I want to get as much experience as possible so when I do make it to the top three levels in NASCAR I will be contending for those championships.
Do your future racing plans include strictly stock car racing, or would you be interested in possible exploring other options on the racing circuits, for example the newly formed Road to Indy program that features a new ladder system for young aspiring drivers wanting to race in the Indy 500.
No. My plans don’t strictly stick with stock cars. I never close off any options in racing. I love racing whether it be in an IndyCar or NASCAR. Racing is my passion and it’s all I’ve ever want to do.
Obviously the most important to any racing career is having strong sponsorship, talk about the programs your trying to put together and what you have lined up for 2010.
Right now like many other teams we are seeking sponsorship. We have a lot to offer companies. We have a few opportunities all depending on sponsorship.
You recently mentioned in a previous interview that you’re a fan of Tony Stewart, what about Tony do you admire and interest you as a fan?
Tony can driver any car anywhere and be contending for that win. He works really hard and is very talented. I hope one day soon I will get to race side by side with him, but of course passing him for that win.
IndyCarGarage would like to thank Megan for taking the time to sit for this interview and wish her the best of luck in her young career.
To keep up to date with Megan Reitenour, check out the following websites below:
www.meganreitenour.com or www.d4d.tv
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Chuck Burns on -
The headline is 'really' cheap Journalism.
If you're going to compare resumes then do so. While I am not a big Danica fan, she does have an impressive background! You shouldn't show only one side of 'any' issue.
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Permalink Reply by Wilsonfan on -
Megan is cute and certainly has credentials--but we all know scores of qualified individuals racing in every series who don't get that break because of money, nepotism; whatever. It has always been that way and it will NEVER change. Let's hope young Megan gets her chance before she collects Social Security.
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Permalink Reply by IndyCar Garage on -
Chuck,
Thanks for your comments, and I would be happy to compare stock car resumes if we are talking about Danica and Megan, but there isn't a comparsion, Megan has much more experience in stock cars. We could also go to the other side of the fence on this debate and say lets compare Danica's and Megan open wheel resume, there isn't a comparsion because Danica has much more open wheel experience.
Either way you look at it, the point is that the best drivers or most qualified drivers don't always get the right breaks and Megan is just looking for a break to find her spot.
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Permalink Reply by Peggy Willenberg on -
I wish this gal well, but had she "deserved" Danica's NASCAR ride, she would have gotten it.
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Permalink Reply by Jim Huntington on -
I *am* a Danica fan but consider where Danica was at 18. Would anyone have given her an Indycar ride ? No. She had to work her way up the ladder and got to the "show" at age 23. Now at 27, having shown she can drive a 1500 lb car at 230 MPH and be 5th among about 25 full time drivers in ICS. JR Motorsports thinks she ca drive a 3500 lb car at much slower speeds and if ARCA tests were an indicator, she has a roaring start.Beauty and sex appeal may get a driver in the seat but they gotta then drive with the boys. Danica proved she can do it. I hope Megan can and hope she can earn a top ride someday.
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Permalink Reply by IndyCar Garage on
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Well said Jim, that is a very true statement!
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Permalink Reply by IndyCar Garage on
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Maybe we could replace "deserved" with "filled" Danica's ride
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Permalink Reply by Jim Huntington on
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There is another 18 year old: Alli Owens with Venturini Motorsports, the people who produced Joey Logano, who will be competing with Megan for those breaks. She looked very good at the ARCA testing and bested Danica each day in terms of pure speed, except for the final day.
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Permalink Reply by Kim Clark on
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Think you might want to re-check on Alli's age. As I recall she has raced at Daytona a couple of times already. You have to be at least 18 years old to race at a Super Speedway. I heard on Venturini Power Hour that Megan also has tested for Venturini and did extremely well. According to the show the only thing she lacked was sponsors.Great team and best of luck to all!!!
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Permalink Reply by Peggy Willenberg on
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My point is, you have to have the complete package. Danica has it, Megan doesn't (yet). I'll look forward to seeing Megan out there in the future, but no way would I agree that Megan is "the driver who should have gotten Danica's NASCAR Nationwide ride". Can't we just celebrate the fact that a talented female driver will be competing (and hopefully comepetitive) in IRL and NASCAR?
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